Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development in relation to the above.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Holder – Planning said that the Joint Local Development Plan was adopted on 31 July, 2017 in accordance with statutory requirement date for initiating the review process was 31 July, 2021and consultation period will be undertaken on the review report.

The Head of Regulation and Economic Development reported that the current Joint Local Development Plan provides a local policy structure for land use.  The current Joint Local Development Plan is in place until 2025 but needs to be reviewed every 4 years.  The consultation process is currently in process and a final report will be submitted to the full Council in March 2022. 

The Planning Policy Manager reported that the review report gauges the performance of the Joint Local Development Plan since its adoption in 2017.  The review report contains 6 parts as outlined in the report:-

Part 1 – Introduction

Part 2 – Relevant information and issues

Part 3 – LDP Review and possible changes

Part 4 – Evidence base review requirement

Part 5 – Joint working and preparation of a Joint Local Development Plan

Part 6 – Conclusions and next steps

The Planning Policy Manager further reported that the consultation process on the Review Report will end on 20 December, 2021. 

The Committee considered the report and made the following main points:-

·      Questions were raised as to whether there any additional issues that need to be addressed as part of the review process either nationally, regionally or local level.  The Planning Policy Manager responded that there are concerns on a regional level regarding the work on the Strategic Development Plan that will be required in addition to possible changes in national legislation that is unable to be foreseen; resources will need to be put in place to carry out work on the Strategic Development Plan i.e. extra funding and staffing.  She further said that Welsh Government are currently discussing the holiday homes, second homes issues at present and further work may result from such discussions;

·      Reference was made that Welsh Government has set a timetable of three and a half years to undertake a full review of the Local Development Plan and concerns were expressed that change to the Development Plan needs to be undertaken at present.  Questions were raised whether the policies within the Plan could be reviewed in stages.   The Planning Policy Manager responded that once the Delivery Agreement is in place and agreed by Welsh Government the timetable set by the Government is three and a half years to complete the work.  She noted that policies within the Plan will be unable to be reviewed in stages as the policies integrate with each other;

·      Questions were raised as to the effect the Corporate Joint Committee (CJC’s) will have on the local planning authorities.  The Portfolio Holder – Planning responded that additional pressures will be enforced on local authorities with the implementation of the CJC’s as current funding and staff will not be sufficient to carry out the work.  The Chief Executive said that she will ask for a high level update on the CJC’s to the Elected Members in due course;

·      Questions were raised as to whether the current planning policies are resilient enough to enable people to remain within their local communities.  The Planning Policy Manager responded that the current Joint Local Development Plan ensures and promotes that homes are built for local people and local needs.  However, as the result of the pandemic issues have come to light as regards to concerns of homes been bought as holiday and second homes within local communities.  She noted that Welsh Government will need to change legislation to address these issues.

·      Questions were raised as to whether the local needs of the Island is considered as each county has different priorities and local needs.  The Head of Regulation and Economic Development responded that it is imperative that the Authority has a strong regional status and the voice of the local communities are addressed.

It was RESOLVED to note:-

·           The changes in the national and local context;

·           The findings of the Annual Monitoring Reports in Part 2;

·           The matters that will need to be addressed in preparing a Revised Plan in Part 3;

·      The conclusions set out in Part 6 of the Review Report.

ACTION : As noted above.