Issue - decisions

Main Modifications to the Local Plan

05/07/2019 - Main Modifications to the Local Plan

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report setting out the main modifications to the Local Plan and Proposals Map suggested by the independent Planning Inspector, and seeking approval to publish those main modifications for public consultation.

 

The report noted that the Council was replacing its existing development plans (the Core Strategy, Reading Central Area Action Plan and Sites and Detailed Policies Document) with a new single Local Plan to set out how Reading would develop up to 2036.  Three consultations had been undertaken on this Local Plan between 2016 and 2018.  The Plan had been submitted to the Secretary of State on 29 March 2018, which marked the beginning of a public examination held by an independent Planning Inspector, including public hearings in September and October 2018.

 

The report explained that the Inspector had identified a number of main modifications that were needed to make sure that the plan was sound and legally compliant.  The modifications were included within the ‘Main Modifications to the Local Plan and Proposals Map’ document attached to the report at Appendix 1, and the more significant changes were summarised in the report.  A Sustainability Appraisal, which assessed the environmental, social and economic effects of the modifications, was attached to the report at Appendix 2.  A six-week public consultation on the two documents was proposed.

 

The report stated that, following the public consultation, representations would be passed to the Inspector, who would then produce a final report on the soundness and legal compliance of the Local Plan.  If the plan was found sound and legally compliant, it could proceed to adoption.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)     That a formal request be made to the Inspector that she recommend ‘main modifications’ to the Local Plan;

 

(2)     That the Main Modifications to the Local Plan and Proposals Map (Appendix 1) be approved;

 

(3)     That community involvement on the Main Modifications to the Local Plan and Proposals Map (Appendix 1) and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix 2) be authorised.