The Planning Policy Manager introduced the report which provided a revised Local Development Scheme (LDS), as set-out in Appendix I of the report, to reflect the changes to the programme necessary to ensure the additional work in respect of the further traffic modelling evidence could be completed and fed-into the emerging local plan review.

The Planning Policy Manager referred to the revised timeline for the Regulation 19 consultation as set-out in paragraph 3.2 on page 12 of the report.

The Chair invited questions from Members.

Members raised points which included:

·         Concerned that there was still not enough time to consider design issues properly;

·         were officers confident that the timescales could be achieved?;

·         Members had been told previously that there would be a separate SPD for Milton Creek?;

·         had there been any discussion with neighbouring authorities about taking some of Swale’s housing numbers under the duty to cooperate?; and

·         could the traffic modelling assessments be trusted?.

In response to a question from the Chair, the Interim Head of Planning Services explained that changes to the Regulation 19 document could not take place until after it had been submitted to the Secretary of State, as it was the document that would be examined, however there would be a modification stage following examination.  She said it was important to note that the Evidence Base would continue to develop right up to examination so officers could add evidence up to the examination if required.  The Interim Head of Planning Services said that the transport modelling assessments were prepared by experts so could be relied upon, but it was right that Members were critical of them.  The Planning Policy Manager advised that the Council had independent consultants providing assistance with transport modelling assessments.

The Planning Policy Manager said whilst it was an ambitious programme she was confident that with the team of officers they had and progress already made the timetable would be achieved.  Members would be made aware of any risks to the timetable.  She said that officers had recently received the first draft updated Strategic Housing Market Area Assessment (SHMAA) and were close to securing further evidence that would be completed by the end of September 2022.  Officers were engaging with the Council’s Sustainability Appraisal consultants and workshops were planned to ensure Members were fully informed of what was coming forward. The Traffic Modelling Evidence was expected that week and the Retail Needs Assessment was being updated and there was progress on the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA).

A Member asked whether the Council’s Park Homes SPD should be included under paragraph 4.2 of the LDS?  The Planning Policy Manager said it was an interim policy and could be included.  Members agreed that it should be added.  The Planning Policy Manager said that a Masterplan Development Brief would be included for Milton Creek rather than an SPD.

The Chair explained that in relation to the common ground duty to cooperate,  officers were in discussions with other authorities.  He said that nothing had been confirmed and given the confidential nature of the discussions it could be considered at the informal working group meetings.

In response to queries from Members about timescales, the Chair said that evidence could be gathered up to June 2023 when the examination was expected to happen.  The Interim Head of Planning Services advised that officers anticipated that the primary and secondary legislation for the planning reforms would be in place by the end of 2024, and that if officers continued with the LDS timeline the Council should be in a stronger position to have an up-to-date local plan and therefore no five-year housing land supply rule.

Recommended:      That the content of the report be noted, and the LDS contained in Appendix I subject to the inclusion of the Council’s interim Park Homes SPD, be approved and published.