Lead Member – Councillor Richard Marshall – Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services

Report of Mark Barrow – Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

2.1. To approve the response to the Government’s consultation on reforms to national planning policy as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

2.2. That authority be given to the Executive Director of Place to agree, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services any additional minor changes to the Council’s response to the consultation ahead of its submission to the Government on 2 March 2023.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services introduced the report which set out the proposed responses from Shropshire Council to the government consultation on national planning policy which had a closing date for submission of 2 March 2023. 

The proposed response to the majority of the government’s proposals was largely positive and a number of briefing sessions for all members had been held, with a meeting of the cross party Local Plan Member Group held to discuss the response. In particular, the emphasis on reducing the expectation for Councils to demonstrate a five year supply of housing land where plans are up-to-date was seen as a positive move, which would further reduce the prospect of speculative and unplanned development.  Suggestions had been made in the consultation responses where it was felt that further clarity was required, or a more localised approach would be better aligned with good decision making.   

During discussion it was suggested that other issues relating to neighbourhood plans and drainage issues be referenced but it was felt that these did not fit into the structure of the consultation questions.

The Portfolio Holder thanked officers for the work undertaken in drafting the response. 

RESOLVED:

2.1. To approve the response to the Government’s consultation on reforms to national planning policy as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

2.2. That authority be given to the Executive Director of Place to agree, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services any additional minor changes to the Council’s response to the consultation ahead of its submission to the Government on 2 March 2023.