URL: https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=293

Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The Local Development Scheme (LDS) is Stroud District Council’s programme for preparing planning policy documents for the District. This LDS sets out: • The current documents that make up the development plan for Stroud District and other relevant planning guidance The current LDS is now out of date and a new LDS is required to be approved by Elected Members for adoption.

Content: The Interim Planning Strategy Manager explained that the Local Development Scheme (LDS) set out a timetable for preparing the next Local Plan and other planning documents. Stroud District Council (SDC) were required as part of a statutory plan making process to maintain an LDS and it needed to reflect changes to planning regulations and government guidance. Appendix A set out the content of the LDS in addition to listing other documents which formed part of the Development Plan for the Stroud District along with future documents for production. The LDS must meet government requirements to include an indicative timetable and milestones to produce the next Local Plan.   Members were not being asked to make decisions on the next Local Plan and the LDS did not include detail relating to content, financial aspects, Legal considerations, detailed work programme or policy direction of a future Local Plan or other planning documents. Documents proposed within the LDS were subject to member approval, public consultation and formal adoption at the relevant stages. He advised that SDC would have an opportunity to provide feedback on the revised plan making system and that the LDS would be useful for Planning Officers. It would allow SDC to access training from the government and show that SDC intended to update the future Local Plan against the new regulations.   In response to Member questions, the following answers were provided: Not many authorities were able to produce Local Plans within two years, however radical changes to the plan making process were proposed by government. It would see Local Plans becoming more focused on strategic allocations within a condensed document. Officers were waiting to receive further information on the changes including details of a consultation which would likely be in Summer 2025. The LDS would be published on the website and form part of the Local Development Framework. An update to the Statement of Community Involvement would be required at a future date. The LDS did not commit SDC to produce a future Local Plan, it set out an indicative timeline however the government had issued communications stating Councils should have up to date Local Plans. Once a draft Local Plan had been produced there would be community and Member engagement including consultations under the new regulations. Assessing the viability of development and associated policies was usual practice once a new Local Plan had been produced. This included working with Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) to deliver infrastructure and educational needs. Chalford and Wotton-under-Edge Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDP) had made a commitment to designate their area however did not choose to proceed further than this designation within the last 10 years. This was not uncommon for NDPs. Government intended to remove funding for NDP’s. Officers had queried with the County Planners Planning Officer Group whether SDC should contact the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) or government to establish whether other mechanisms would be explored. Clarification was needed from the government on whether NDPs could use neighbourhood proportions through CIL for funding.   Proposed by the Chair, Councillor Turner, seconded by Councillor Hofmann.   Councillor Hofmann thanked the Officers and commented it would be ambitious within the timetable to produce a future Local Plan. She was encouraged to see the inclusion of the Stroud District design guide and provided opportunity for SDC to be ambitious for what the Council wanted to see within local communities.   The Chair, Councillor Turner, echoed Councillor Hofmann’s thanks and advised that the document was helpful in collating all planning documents for Members.   On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried unanimously.   RESOLVED a)    To note the content of the new Local Development Scheme 2025-29 (Appendix A); b)   Approve the publication of the new Local Development Scheme.  

Date of Decision: June 26, 2025