North Tyneside’s Local Plan has been given the green light by a Government Inspector.
Following an independent public examination carried out late last year (2016), the Inspector has now published his final report, which concludes that the Plan is sound and can be formally adopted by North Tyneside Council.
It means the Inspector has supported the work done by the authority in drawing up the framework for the borough’s future.
The Inspector has given advice on the right approach to planning for housing growth, supporting the council’s evidence, and agreed with the way public consultation and engagement was carried out by the council.
The Plan can now be presented to Cabinet at its next meeting on 12 June before Full Council will be asked to formally adopt it in July.
The Plan, which has been informed by public opinion, seeks to prepare for growth and safeguard against planning applications being received which don’t fit in with the borough’s objectives.
It is a Government requirement for local authorities to produce a Local Plan outlining how land will be used for new homes and jobs over a 15-year period.
If North Tyneside had failed to draw up a Local Plan by early 2017 the Government would have intervened and produced one on the council’s behalf – potentially giving the authority less control over future development.
Local residents’ groups, landowners, key stakeholders and council officers were all invited by the Inspector to contribute to the hearings.
Following the conclusion of the public examination, the Inspector helped guide a range of modifications to the Plan based on evidence heard during the process – the majority of which were of a technical nature.
The Inspector’s final report, which includes the main modifications, is available to view at http://northtyneside-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/local_plan/local_pla...
The planning service is delivered for North Tyneside Council by its partner Capita.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The North Tyneside Local Plan has been subject to extensive engagement with residents and businesses since 2013. During the formal consultation period 10,000 comments were received, 44 public events attended by 1,300 people were held, and all 92,000 households written to. An online consultation was also held.
In October 2015, following public consultation the council agreed to put forward a Local Plan based on ‘medium’ growth figures over a 15-year period (2011-32).
The figures were worked out by using Government policy and national and local evidence at the time – any less would not have been accepted by Government.
The three options for growth in the borough between 2011 and 2032 were:
- High = 21,000 homes
- Medium = 17,388
- Low = 12,264
As a result of new population projections published by ONS in 2016 each growth option was revised slightly. Following the public examination, according to the Inspector’s feedback the number of homes that should be built in the borough each year to meet the medium growth option was accepted as appropriate and has only shifted in a minor way.
