URL: https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4897

Decision Maker: Head of Planning

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To seek approval for public consultation to take place on the ‘Main Modifications to the Plan’ which have been proposed by the Inspectors and to seek approval for consultation to be carried out on ‘Additional (Minor) Modifications’, as well as the updated Integrated Impact Assessment and the updated Habitat Regulations Assessment.  

Content: To seek approval for public consultation to take place on the ‘Main Modifications to the Plan’ which have been proposed by the Inspectors and to seek approval for consultation to be carried out on ‘Additional (Minor) Modifications’, as well as the updated Integrated Impact Assessment and the updated Habitat Regulations Assessment.   a) Approval is given for the Main Modifications to the Publication (Submission) Draft Sheffield Plan proposed by the Inspectors to be the subject of public consultation b) Approval is given for the Additional (Minor) Modifications to the Publication (Submission) Draft Sheffield Plan (proposed by the City Council) to be the subject of public consultation c) Approval is given for the updated Integrated Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment to be the subject of public consultation.   Once adopted, the new Sheffield Plan will make a major contribution to the future development of the city and will guide development up to 2039.  It is a statutory requirement to produce a Local Plan and keep the Plan up to date.  The current local plan (comprising the Sheffield Core Strategy (2009) and ‘saved’ policies from the Sheffield Unitary Development Plan) is extremely out of date.   The new Plan will ensure that the city’s needs for housing and other uses can be met.  The Inspectors have concluded that exceptional circumstances exist in principle to justify the release of Green Belt land to deliver the level of housing and employment growth the city needs.  Without some limited release of Green Belt land, the Sheffield Plan would not be found sound.   Adoption of the Sheffield Plan will enable more affordable housing and homes for disabled people to be delivered.  It will enable higher standards to be applied to development in the city, including better space standards for new housing, and policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and ensuring new development responds to climate change.  The Plan provides the sites and supports the strategy that ensures Sheffield’s economic and jobs growth ambitions can be realised. It also contains a range of policies aimed at securing better environmental outcomes, including for biodiversity.  It will also provide greater certainty for developers and infrastructure providers.   All the factors referred to above, highlight the importance of progressing the Sheffield Plan to adoption.  If the Plan is not adopted, it would have major financial and reputational implications for the city due to the cost of preparing a new plan and potential loss of investment from developers and Government bodies.   The options available to the Council in terms of the Main Modifications proposed by the Inspectors are limited.  If the Council were to not consult on the Main Modifications, it would be necessary to withdraw the Draft Local Plan and commence work on an entirely new Local Plan.  This would have major financial implications for the Council and would cause a very significant delay in getting an up-to-date Local Plan in place.  

Date of Decision: February 27, 2026