URL: https://mansfield.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1774

Decision Maker: Chief Executive Officer

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To procure suitably qualified and experienced consultants to provide an Agricultural Land Classification Study to support the development of Mansfield District Council’s emerging Local Plan Review.

Content:    Agricultural Land Classification Study (Local Plan evidence base)        To appoint Roberts Environmental Limited to provide an Agricultural Land Classification Study to support the development of Mansfield District Council’s emerging Local Plan Review. That the council will enter a Services Agreement contract with the appointed consultants which will set out the legal obligations on all parties. That the budgets are amended to reflect the relevant expenditure. The study is to be funded through an approved reserve.   To procure suitably qualified and experienced consultants to provide an Agricultural Land Classification Study to support the development of Mansfield District Council’s emerging Local Plan Review        The procurement of an up-to-date evidence base is an essential part of preparing the Mansfield District Local Plan review. Much of the current evidence base for the district is out of date and requires updating to inform policies and site allocations within the Local Plan Review. In some cases, the guidance for the production of specific studies has also changed alongside updates to the Planning Practice Guidance1 and National Planning Policy Framework2. An overarching ODR was signed in February 2025 for the majority of the evidence that is required however, following consultation on the Regulation 18 Local Plan Review document it is considered that an additional study that specifically looks at the agricultural quality of potential development sites is required to help inform the final selection of sites for allocation in the Local Plan Review, ensuring the council are aware of the sites which are classified as Best and Most Versatile’ (or BMV) agricultural land (with best potential for food productivity). Without a satisfactory evidence base the council’s Local Plan Review would be unlikely to be found sound at examination. The council’s Local Plan Review should seek to locate growth in the most sustainable locations, and that the policies are justified. The evidence base is needed to ensure that this can be demonstrated. Roberts Environmental Limited have been selected through a competitive quotation from a selected pool who have been involved in the development of similar work previously.     To rely on existing regional mapping of ALC which predicts the likelihood of BMV agricultural land. However, it is stated in the explanatory note that accompanies this data that it is not suitable for use below scale 1:250 000 or for the definitive classification of any local area or site. It is recommended that site specific studies, including new ALC field surveys, will be needed to obtain definitive information on ALC grades for individual sites. Therefore the sole use of the existing mapping was discounted because the evidence does not offer the most accurate data to inform the site selection process. However, the mapping will be used to screen out sites that have a low likelihood of being BMV land. Due to issues raised during consultation it is considered that the more detailed assessment is required in order to satisfy an independent Planning Inspector at examination.

Date of Decision: September 30, 2025