Agenda item

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the adoption of the Doncaster Local Plan 2015-2035, following a period of preparation, consultation and an independent examination in public. 

Prior to discussion by the Committee, Members were informed that the Local Plan had passed the legal compliance and tests of soundness which were assessed via the examination and recently presented to and supported by the Planning committee.  Members were also reminded of the Local Plan development process required before arriving at the Local Authority’s approval process.

The following areas were addressed:

Partnership working - it was stressed that the development of new policies had strengthened relationships, for example, working with health colleagues when addressing health impact assessments as part of a planning applications.

Housing for the future population – the committee was assured the Local Plan provided policy to support sufficient future housing.  920 properties per annum were expected to be provided with a proportion of homes for life, for example, providing properties with wider doorframes and wheelchair accessible, rather than having to adapt homes at a later stage.

Developer portfolios – it was noted that all development sites allocated had been scrutinised and were deliverable providing a minimum of 920 homes per annum.  Members were reminded that Government policy with regard to developing industry was separate to the planning process.  It was noted that the Local Authority had raised concern with the Government in regard to developers land banking.

Section 106 Agreements  – it was noted that the Local Authority was in a strong position to negotiate, all policies in the Plan had been tested for viability and fresh applications would have to conform to planning policy at that time.

Submission of the Local Plan to independent inspectors – it was recognised that the Local Plan was submitted during the Covid Pandemic and this could never have been predicted during its preparation and additionally Brexit Agreements were still being established.  Bearing this in mind it was also noted that there were significant planning reforms on the horizon which the Local Authority had been consulted on in the summer of 2020 but the outcomes were not yet known.  It was stressed that there would always be a number of known and unknowns and planning decisions could only be made on evidence that was in front of decision makers at that time.

It was stressed that the Local Plan was to ensure the Local Authority was able to keep control of decisions but it was important for it to have flexibility to respond to changes in circumstances and the Plan would be monitored to check it is performing as intended.  The Annual Monitoring Report would be brought back to OSMC as per the agreed governance arrangements and this could then inform whether the Plan needs to be reviewed (in whole or part). 

Hydraulic Modelling – Following a query raised by a Member, the Panel noted the Environment Agency’s ongoing work relating to flooding and hydraulic modelling.  One of the first pieces of evidence to be undertaken for the Local Plan was the level 1 strategic flood risk assessment providing supporting evidence in the plan.  It was stressed that the Local Authority had complied with flood risk evidence requirements and the Environment Agency had not raised any concern at any of the Local Plan hearing sessions with regard to this issue.

RESOLVED:  That the Local Plan, be supported.