Agenda item

• Local Plan Guidance: Create or update a local plan using the new system - GOV.UK

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Luke Brown (Senior Planner) outlined the government's introduction of significant planning reforms, including the new draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the 2023 Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, and 2025 Planning and Infrastructure Act. The reforms aim to accelerate housing delivery, introduce a five-tier planning system, and standardise local plan preparation across England.

Five-Tier Planning System and Strategic Plans: The new system introduced spatial development strategies (strategic plans) above local plans, particularly for areas with devolved mayoral combined authorities. While Norfolk did not yet have such an authority, officers explained that local plans must eventually conform to both the NPPF and any future strategic plan, creating challenges.

In the absence of an SDS, the Local Plan would need to set housing requirements, based upon the standard method.  The Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework (NSPF) provides a current non-statutory framework for plan-making across Norfolk.

Local Plan Timelines and Gateway Process: Officers detailed the new 30-month timeline for local plan preparation, starting with a four-month pre-notification period from 30 June, followed by three gateway checks involving self-assessment and planning inspectorate reviews. The process was designed to streamline plan-making, with strict deadlines and standardised templates expected.

Challenges of Local Government Reorganisation: The Task Groupdiscussed the impact of potential local government reorganisation, including the formation of new unitary authorities. Officers explained that emerging plans would need to be completed and then the new authorities would prepare new plans for their area.

Evidence Gathering and Call for Sites: The Task Group were informed that officers were commissioning new evidence, updating the housing and economic land availability assessment (HELAA), and conducting a fresh call for sites to identify deliverable land for housing, employment, open space, renewable energy and other uses.  Officers emphasised the need for up-to-date evidence and encouraged resubmission of sites from previous plans to ensure current information. The previous (2019/20) HELAA was produced using a Norfolk (NSPF) wide agreed template and this is currently under review.

Infrastructure, Housing Delivery, and External Stakeholder Engagement:The Task Group raised concerns about infrastructure constraints, housing delivery challenges, and the need for effective cooperation with external bodies such as Anglian Water, with officers outlining ongoing efforts to address these issues through evidence gathering, stakeholder engagement, and policy development.

Infrastructure, Housing Delivery, and External Stakeholder Engagement:The Task Group raised concerns about infrastructure constraints, housing delivery challenges, and the need for effective cooperation with external bodies such as Anglian Water, with officers outlining ongoing work and collaboration with such providers including through evidence gathering, and early stakeholder engagement.

Infrastructure Constraints and Water Capacity: The Task Group highlighted issues with water and sewage infrastructure, particularly in areas served by Anglian Water, and questioned how these constraints would be addressed in the local plan. Officers explained that they were working closely with Anglian Water, lobbying government for change, and sharing indicative housing numbers to inform business planning. The new system might formalise water companies as statutory consultees with a duty to assist in plan-making.

Housing Delivery and Site Viability: Concerns were raised about sites with planning permission that remained undeveloped, and the challenge of meeting increased housing targets. Officers described the rigorous process for assessing site deliverability, the importance of up-to-date evidence, and the need to allocate sufficient land to meet housing need, learning from previous plan examinations.

Role of Neighbourhood Plans and Local Input: The Task Group discussed the role of neighbourhood plans in allocating housing and addressing local issues such as second homes. Officers noted that neighbourhood plans must now allocate to specified numbers and cannot look to restrict development, and that local input from parish councils and communities was essential in the plan making process.

Engagement with External Stakeholders: Officers described ongoing engagement with infrastructure providers, neighbouring authorities, and other departments to coordinate evidence gathering and address cross-boundary issues. The removal of the legal duty to cooperate was offset by continued requirements for soundness and statutory consultation, with new mechanisms proposed to ensure external bodies assisted in plan-making.

Plan Viability and Infrastructure Costs: Councillor Spikings raised the issue of infrastructure costs and site viability, particularly for large developments. Officers confirmed that a whole plan viability assessment would be commissioned to ensure that policies and site allocations were deliverable, factoring in all required contributions and national standards. Much like was carried out to support the current and previous local plans.

The Task Group adjourned at 11.39 am and reconvened at 11.48 am