URL: https://democracy.northdevon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4597

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Planning Policy Manager (TDC), Ian Rowland, provided an update on the preparation of the new Joint Local Plan for northern Devon. It was explained that progress had previously been impacted by the national planning reforms, but that the necessary secondary legislation came into force on 25 March 2026, enabling formal commencement.   The Government’s proposed timescales and the associated backstop dates were highlighted and explained, alongside the Committee’s previously agreed ambitions to progress locally at an accelerated pace alongside Local Government Reorganisation. It was further confirmed that both Councils had each successfully secured New System Plan Funding to support plan preparation - approximately £108,000.   The Planning Policy Manager (TDC) advised Members on the requirement to prepare and publish a Local Plan Timetable (Table 1, pages 12-13) and a Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan preparation, both of which are required by legislation and must be published by 30 June 2026 in prescribed formats (the publication of the Notice of Intention to Commence by this date is a condition of the New System Plan Funding). Subsequent to the agenda being published, Members were advised the Government had issued further guidance on data standards and an additional format would need to be published, it was confirmed work was underway on this.   Further detail was provided on the monitoring and review of the timetable, and it was confirmed draft versions of both documents had been prepared and attached with the agenda. Members were given a detailed summary of the timetable and proposed deadlines, as well as the information requirements set out in legislation – this was set out in Appendix 1 of the report – and the requests for delegated authority were noted and explained for Members in detail.   Additionally, Members were advised of a requirement for each authority to publish separate timetables, however Officers will explore if a combined version can be provided, recognising that this would be beneficial for the public.   It was explained that no Supplementary Plans were proposed at this stage and it was suggested that the local plan would be known as the ‘North Devon and Torridge Local Plan’, with a working title of ‘A Plan for Northern Devon’.   The Planning Policy Manager (TDC) also outlined the next steps for early engagement, including a proposed six?week scoping consultation, and provided an update on project governance and programme management arrangements.   An update was given on the commissioning of the first tranche of technical evidence to support the Local Plan, including a Housing and Economic Needs Assessment, Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment and Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. It was confirmed that procurement processes were underway, the challenges within the market were noted and it was confirmed that further updates would be reported to the next meeting.   Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and the following was discussed.   Members asked about the potential impact of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and the new authority, the Policy Planning Manager recognised this was still an unknown, but noted Government guidance states that Councils subject to LGR should continue to prepare local plans and that new authorities should pick up existing work rather than start from scratch.   Members raised concerns regarding the timescales and whether there was adequate time to engage with key stakeholders and gain their responses. The Planning Policy Manager (TDC) confirmed that the timescales for formal stages were set as minimums, and provided some detail on the additional engagement work planned locally.   Members referenced the milestones in Table 1 and asked for detail on the timing of Highways evidence. The Policy Planning Manager confirmed that Devon County Council had started work on a transport model for northern Devon and advised on the type of data collection methods used to form a baseline, how they would be used to map future scenarios, and that the modelling would account for the seasonality of the area. It was explained this modelling would allow for the development of potential scenarios, which could inform the plan. It was confirmed that updates would be provided at future committees.   Members thanked the officer for their work and reflected on the positives of such an ambitious timetable. The recommendations were moved, but it was requested that a date be added to the title of the new local plan to establish it from the current plan.   There was a detailed discussion and Members were advised of the reasoning for not adding a date at this time, however it was felt important to differentiate between the 2 plans for consultation purposes, and with this in mind it was agreed the document name would be given further consideration following the meeting and be brought back to the next meeting (both suggested).   Members noted the importance of the successful funding bid, in meeting the ambitious timetable, especially given budget constraints. It was felt this could be put to good use on the administration of the thematic working groups and workshops.   Following a query regarding Gateway reviews and decision-making processes it was confirmed that the Joint Planning Policy Committee was constituted to take all decisions related to the local plan, aside from the final decision on whether to adopt the plan.    Members noted that, following a change of Committee membership, the thematic working groups should now also be reviewed.    RESOLVED that Members of the Joint Planning Policy Committee (JPPC) recommend to:   1)    Endorse the initial timetable for the preparation of the new Joint Local Plan (Table 1);   2)    Delegate authority to the Head of Place Property and Regeneration (NDC) and Head of Head of Planning and Building Control (TDC), in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of JPPC, to make changes to the dates in the initial timetable to take account of detailed project programming and to finalise for publication the formal ‘Local Plan Timetable(s)’ for North Devon and Torridge (draft provided at Appendix 1), including the making of changes to the wording, language, form and layout to ensure legibility and compliance with legislation, guidance and emerging best practice;   3)    Delegate authority to the Head of Place Property and Regeneration (NDC) and Head of Head of Planning and Building Control (TDC) to approve and publish the final version of the initial formal Local Plan Timetable(s) for North Devon and Torridge on or before 30 June 2026;   4)    Delegate authority to the Head of Place Property and Regeneration (NDC) and Head of Head of Planning and Building Control (TDC) to prepare, approve and publish necessary periodic updates to the formal Local Plan Timetable(s) for North Devon and Torridge;   5)    Delegate authority to the Head of Place Property and Regeneration (NDC) and Head of Head of Planning and Building Control (TDC) to finalise for publication the formal Notice(s) of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation (draft provided at Appendix 2) including the making of changes to the wording, language, form and layout to ensure legibility and compliance with legislation, guidance and emerging best practice; and   6)    Delegate authority to the Head of Place Property and Regeneration (NDC) and Head of Head of Planning and Building Control (TDC) to publish the final formal Notice(s) of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation on or before 30 June 2026;   7)    Agree that the Councils will not currently programme the preparation of any Supplementary Plans; and   8)    confirm the title by which the local planning authorities will refer to the new joint local plan: a)    with it to be formally called the ‘North Devon and Torridge Local Plan’, using the working title of ‘a plan for northern Devon’ and that it is highlighted as being prepared under the banner of the ‘people and place’ project; or b)    otherwise as agreed by the Committee.  

Date of Decision: April 24, 2026