Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

 Submitted – a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development for the Committee’s consideration.

The Planning Policy Manager said that the report focuses on the draft Delivery Agreement (DA) which includes a draft timetable and Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) for the preparation of a replacement Local Development Plan for Anglesey.  He noted that following discussions with Officers from Welsh Government, there is an amendment to the draft timetable at ‘Stage 3’ from May 2025 to May 2026.  He further said that it is expected that the Local Development Plan will be adopted by May 2028.  The Community Involvement Scheme will incorporate the engagement methods to engage with stakeholders.  A public consultation will be undertaken for a period of 6 weeks from 23 May, 2024 to 4 July, 2024 as regards to the Delivery Agreement.  He noted that the Committee will be advised of observations received in response to the public consultation and given the opportunity to endorse any amendments considered necessary to the Delivery Agreement in light of such observations.  A final report will be submitted to the full Council in September 2024 for consideration and thereafter the Delivery Agreement will be submitted to Welsh Government for agreement. 

In reviewing the report, the Committee discussed the following matters:-

·      Questions raised as to whom will have the final decision as to the planning policies within the Local Development Plan.  The Planning Planning Policy Manager responded that the focus of this meeting is the DA and the CIS and planning policies will be discussed in the future;

·      Questions raised as to how the public consultation process is to be delivered and whether there will be community engagement events.  Further questions raised as to how Officers will monitor the responses received and whether the process through social media will be adequate to gain response from a wide age range of residents.  It was expressed that not all residents are able to access on-line facilities and whether consideration has been given to place copies of the documentation within other facilities across the Island i.e. leisure centres.  It was expressed that it is important to highlight the need for residents to respond to the consultation process at the beginning. The Planning Policy Manager responded the public consultation process will initially be  through social media, public libraries, within the Council Offices and through MônFM.  Direct contact will be undertaken with statutory stakeholders.  The responses received will be monitored during the consultation period due to the short period of the consultation process.  Public consultation events will be arranged for subsequent stages of the Local Development Plan preparation process;

·      Reference was made as to the reason that there is a need for a Local Development Plan for Anglesey rather than the current Joint Local Development Plan.  Questions were raised as to the costs implications due to staffing of the Planning Policy Unit.  The Head of Regulation & Economic Development responded that the collaboration agreement with Gwynedd Council had ended and both Authorities undertook a review which resulted in a decision to end the collaboration agreement.  A report was submitted to the Executive with the decision undertaken to end the collaboration between both authorities.  He further said that when the process of completion of the Local Development Plan is undertaken more details will be available as to the costs implications.  The Legal Services Manager said that there is a statutory requirement for a planning authority to prepare a Local Development Plan and the costs associated with preparing a Plan would have needed to be financed as the current plan will come to an end in 2026.

·      Whilst the new Local Development Plan will build on the work of the existing Joint Local Development Plan a proportion of the current planning polices will remain.  Questions were raised whether the timescale of developing a LDP would be reduced and whether the current policies can be adopted before 2028.  The Planning Policy Manager responded that the current timetable submitted to Welsh Government will need to be adhered to. 

·      Reference was made to the Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) and whether this Committee can contribute to any requirement for amendments of these policies.  The Planning Policy Manager responded that it will be part of the LDP process to review existing SPG’s.

It was RESOLVED:-

·          To agree the necessary amendment to the draft Delivery Agreement document;

·          To endorse the final draft Delivery Agreement;

·          To support the undertaking of a six-week public consultation period;

·          To delegate authority to the Chief Planning Officer (in consultation with the Portfolio Holder) to make any further minor amendments for accuracy prior to the public consultation period commencing.