URL: https://democracy.breckland.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2514

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To see Cabinet approval to undertake public consultation on the emerging Regulation 18 Local Plan: Full Update for a period of at least 6 weeks.

Content: To see Cabinet approval to undertake public consultation on the emerging Regulation 18 Local Plan: Full Update for a period of at least 6 weeks.   Subject to the inclusion of the agreed additional recommendations, that Officers placed PDF maps alongside the text for each allocation in the Plan and slight modification be made to one of the paragraphs in Chapter 12 of the Plan, it was:   RESOLVED THAT:   1)    The Draft Local Plan (Regulation 18) set out in Appendix 1 to this report be approved.   2)    The Draft Plan included at Appendix 1 be published for consultation for a period of at least 6 weeks.   3)    Delegated authority be granted to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make any necessary typographical or other non-material changes to Appendix 1 prior to publication for consultation.     The Draft Local Plan proposed at Appendix 1 builds on the extensive community engagement that has been ongoing since March 2023 and sets out a full draft Local Plan that incorporates a series of options for strategic development and preferred options for sustainable growth across the District.   The preparation of a Local Plan is a statutory requirement and must follow a statutory procedure, including public consultation and examination. If the Council were to pursue a different approach, overall preparation of a new Local Plan for Breckland would be substantially delayed leading to potential risk in the ongoing management and delivery of development in the District. Regard also needs to be given to proposed change in the Local Plan process, which the Council would need to undertake if it misses the transition date of December 2026 for submission to the Planning Inspectorate. Option 1: Agree the proposed Draft Local Plan included at Appendix 1 of this report for Consultation, provide delegated authority for minor amendments to the Plan ahead of its publication for consultation and agree to a minimum six-week consultation period on the Plan.   Option 2: Alternatively, Cabinet could decide not to undertake consultation on the draft Local Plan included at Appendix 1 and request substantial amendments to the Plan or seek a different approach.    

Date of Decision: October 20, 2025