Lead Member: Councillor David Walker, Portfolio Holder for Planning

Lead Officer: Eddie West, Planning Policy & Strategy Manager

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Agreed the publication of the Plan-Making Timetable (Appendix 1) and that any subsequent changes to this timetable are delegated to the Interim Service Director for Place Shaping in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

2.     Agreed the publication of the Notice of Intention to Commence Plan Making (Appendix 2) in May 2026.

3.     Agreed the Local Plan Project Initiation Document (PID) (Appendix 3), including the governance and decision making arrangements included in Figure 4.1 of the PID, and that any subsequent changes to the PID are delegated to the Interim Service Director for Place Shaping in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

4.     Agreed the publication of the Local Plan Scoping Document (Appendix 4), the Draft Community Hierarchy (Appendix 5), the Draft Site Identification and Assessment Methodology (Appendix 6) and the SEA Screening Report (Appendix 7) for public consultation in line with the engagement strategy outlined in the PID, and that any minor changes to these documents ahead of publication are delegated to the Interim Service Director for Place Shaping in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

5.     Agreed that delegated responsibility is given to the Interim Service Director for Place Shaping, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, for the preparation and consultation of an SEA/SA Scoping document within the Local Plan ‘notification and scoping’ stage.

6.     Noted the Equalities, Social Inclusion and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) Stage One Screening Record (Appendix 8)

7.     Agreed, that delegated authority is given to the Interim Service Director for Place Shaping in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to agree the completion of Gateway 1 (Self- Assessment) upon the completion of the ‘Scoping’ stage, in order to commence the formal commencement of the plan making in September 2026.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning presented the report which outlining the commencement of the new Local Plan process, including the proposed timetable, scoping consultation, and supporting documents. It was noted that the new plan would establish a long-term spatial strategy for Shropshire to 2046 and would be prepared under a revised national planning framework with a compressed timescale.

Members were advised of the importance of progressing the Local Plan to ensure a robust, locally-led policy framework for future development and to reduce the risk of speculative planning applications. The report set out that the current stage focused on early engagement with stakeholders and did not yet include specific site allocations.

Members emphasised the need to ensure the plan is sound and deliverable, recognising the risks of progressing too quickly. Concerns were raised regarding infrastructure provision, housing targets, protection of rural areas, and the importance of aligning the Local Plan with other strategies, including the Corporate Plan and forthcoming Local Transport Plan. The need for transparency, cross-party involvement and effective scrutiny throughout the process was also highlighted.

It was confirmed that existing evidence from the previous plan would be utilised where appropriate and updated as required, and that the process would involve ongoing consultation with residents, partners and stakeholders.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Agreed the publication of the Plan-Making Timetable (Appendix 1) and that any subsequent changes to this timetable are delegated to the Interim Service Director for Place Shaping in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

2.     Agreed the publication of the Notice of Intention to Commence Plan Making (Appendix 2) in May 2026.

3.     Agreed the Local Plan Project Initiation Document (PID) (Appendix 3), including the governance and decision making arrangements included in Figure 4.1 of the PID, and that any subsequent changes to the PID are delegated to the Interim Service Director for Place Shaping in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

4.     Agreed the publication of the Local Plan Scoping Document (Appendix 4), the Draft Community Hierarchy (Appendix 5), the Draft Site Identification and Assessment Methodology (Appendix 6) and the SEA Screening Report (Appendix 7) for public consultation in line with the engagement strategy outlined in the PID, and that any minor changes to these documents ahead of publication are delegated to the Interim Service Director for Place Shaping in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

5.     Agreed that delegated responsibility is given to the Interim Service Director for Place Shaping, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, for the preparation and consultation of an SEA/SA Scoping document within the Local Plan ‘notification and scoping’ stage.

6.     Noted the Equalities, Social Inclusion and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) Stage One Screening Record (Appendix 8)

7.     Agreed, that delegated authority is given to the Interim Service Director for Place Shaping in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to agree the completion of Gateway 1 (Self- Assessment) upon the completion of the ‘Scoping’ stage, in order to commence the formal commencement of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 173