Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Ben Jones.

The notes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Members should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposes to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was no urgent business to consider.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before the meeting commences.  Any Member attending the meeting under Standing Order 34 will only be permitted to speak on those items which have been previously notified to the Chairman.

Councillors Bhondi, Heneghan and Long

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The Chair informed the Task Group that all Parish Councils and interested parties had been written to regarding the current status of the Local Plan and he had received correspondence from former Borough Councillor Ives thanking officers, which he read out.

The Local Plan Task Group is asked to consider the attached Cabinet Report and endorse the recommendations.

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Alex Fradley, Planning Policy Manager introduced the Planning Policy Team to the Task Group and thanked everyone who had been involved in the process and explained that the Local Plan journey started 9 years ago. 

He explained that within the agenda was the report which would be considered by Cabinet and a covering presentation.

The Local Plan review would cover the period 2021-2040.

The Plan had been under preparation since 2016, where a significant level of consultation helped form the contents of the Plan.

It was explained that a final draft of the Plan was signed off by the Council in July 2021, and then formally submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination in March 2022.

Two Inspectors were appointed by the Secretary of State as the Independent Inspectors to undertake the examination in public on the Local Plan.  Three stages of public hearings then took place in January 2023, April 2024 and September 2024.

The Council received a report from the Planning Inspectors on the ‘soundness’ of the Local Plan in February 2025. 

Once adopted, the Local Plan would entirely replace the current Local Plan (consisting of 2011 Core Strategy and 2016 Site Allocation and Development Management Policies Plan).

The presentation also covered:

·        The Local Plan Examination Timeline

·        Summary of the Main Changes to the Plan following Examination

·        Distribution of Planned Growth

·        Local Plan policies for:

§  Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy

§  Windfall Development

§  Neighbourhood Planning

§  The Economy

§  Transport

§  Climate Change

§  Environment – Coastal Area and National Landscape Policies

§  Environment – Design, Green Infrastructure and Historic Environment

§  Environment – Open Space, Habitat Regulations and Flood Risk

§  Housing, Affordable Housing and Specialist Housing

§  Shared Housing, Housing in the Rural Areas, Custom and Self-Build Housing

·        Policies Map

The Chair then invited questions, a summary of which is recorded below:

Councillor Mrs Spikings raised the issue of infrastructure on the A47, which was lacking in and around the Wisbech area and the impact this would have on existing residents, particularly where it bordered another authority.

In response the Planning Policy Manager advised that this raised an important point, something that the Planning Inspectors got into during the examination was the Duty to Co-operate.  It was a key test which required Local Authorities to speak to their neighbours, infrastructure providers and consultees, etc.  The Council had been very proactive in meeting its requirements on the Duty to Co-operate, both in meeting with neighbouring authorities in Norfolk and neighbours outside of Norfolk and had worked with Fenland District Council.  He added that this point had been looked at in detail at the Local Plan Inquiry.

Michael Burton explained that in relation to the policy around windfall, again any development had to meet the criteria before it could be considered and that included impact on infrastructure.  The Council had to work with their neighbours and were aware of the challenges but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To be arranged when required.

To be arranged when required.