Agenda item

This report updates Members on the current and pending evidence studies being progressed to inform the update of the Arun Local Plan 2018 and is for noting.

The Sub-Committee received a report from the Planning Policy Team Leader which provided an update on the current and pending evidence studies being progressed to inform the update of the Arun Local Plan 2018. The Sub-Committee was being asked to note this update report.

The Planning Policy Team Leader explained that the Council had updated its Local Development Scheme in July 2020 which had set the overall plan making timetable and reflected the Council’s priorities for urgently updating the Development Management policies.  The current and future programme of work and studies had been set out within the report and these were briefly explained.

In discussing the report, support was given to updating the Arun Transport Model as this had last been completed in 2015.  It was also recognised that it was desperately important to undertake this work in light of all that was going on with highways and transport. As this subject was so key to the development of the revised plan, Councillors were interested to learn what opportunity there would be for them to have input into developing these studies as it was important for Councillors to begin to understand what would be proposed and what was going to happen with Arun transport as this was a developing issue now and would be one that would continue to become an even bigger issue in the future. Similarly, this also applied to the issue of climate change and sustainable design standards. Looking at the 20-minute communities’ study, it was hoped that this study would reflect on the realities of life accepting that everyone had different needs, and this then impacted transport modes.

            In response it was explained that as the evidence studies were prepared, they would follow the normal reporting route through Committee, and this would apply in terms of the new Committee structure that would commence in May 2021. This meant that as and when evidence reports were completed or draft reports prepared, then these would be brought to the new Planning Policy Committee to update Members in terms of progress and to allow for proper scrutiny. The Group Head of Planning explained how this had taken place before via holding informal briefings with all Members outside of the Committee on all evidence based documents.

The inclusion of the Biodiversity Study was very much welcomed, and it was felt that with the evidence outlined, the Council would have an excellent plan in place.

Looking at the various studies to be undertaken, clarification was sought  regarding local green spaces to establish which studies would materially address this issue; development strategy or environmental assessment evidence and in view of the Worthing Borough Council Local Plan and would a study be undertaken for the particular two gaps associated with each authority on the eastern boundary. It was explained that this matter would become clearer through the 20 minute community study together with the landscaping study. The strategic gaps in Arun in terms of supporting the current adopted Local Plan did have evidence base behind them in terms of the quality of the landscape and the impact of the landscape and so this would be a key study that would address this issue. The Place Making 20 minute study would also pick up on this issue. Councillor Elkins asked how the landscaping of the area that he was referring to would be moved forward? It was explained that this would take place at the appropriate time and it would be necessary to work out what the Council’s development strategy might be which would then be tested by the landscape study. Councillor Elkins asked that it be minuted that the Council would also seek the evidence that Worthing Borough Council had used to help define its local plan.  The last item on the agenda was referred to by the Planning Policy Team Leader as this touched upon the cross-boundary duty to co-operate relationship with neighbouring authorities and in particular Worthing.

            An observation was made about the cost of reviewing the Local Plan at £1m and that not all of the studies listed had a cost attributed to them. It was hoped that if a study was not a statutory requirement then it would not then be progressed to save money.  It was also pointed out that there might be the need to add further studies and so Officers were asked to keep a close eye on this and to look at opportunities where money could be saved. It was explained that all of the studies had been budgeted for and that their nature was very typical of what was needed for a Local Plan, they all had a reason behind them to ensure a successful examination and sound evidence led approach to plan making, proving that it was deliverable and achievable was essential.

            Following further discussion,

The Sub-Committee

                        RESOLVED

That the Arun Local Plan Update – Evidence Base be noted.