After being deemed sound by a Planning Inspector, North Tyneside’s Local Plan is to reach its final stage when Full Council is asked to formally adopt it.
North Tyneside Council was required by Government to produce the Plan, which sets out future development in the borough.
A Government-appointed Planning Inspector gave the Plan the green light following a public examination, before it was agreed by Cabinet last month (June).
Cabinet forwarded the Plan to Full Council for adoption and, if agreed, it will mean that the final stage has been cleared and the authority can progress the priorities it contains.
The Plan is aimed at helping manage the delivery of new homes, jobs and infrastructure needed in the borough over the next 15 years.
In a report, councillors will hear on Thursday (20 July) how the new Plan will give the authority greater control over local decisions on future development.
It will allow council planners (the planning service is delivered for North Tyneside Council by its partner Capita) to be proactive in managing growth and planning for the infrastructure needed.
And it will provide a robust framework to deliver the objectives set out in the plan.
Cllr John Harrison, cabinet member for Housing and Transport, said: “It has taken years of hard work and dedication from everyone involved to get to this point.
“We were delighted that the Planning Inspector agreed with our approach and concluded that the Plan was sound.
“Having this Plan in place will benefit everyone in the borough and will mean that we, as a council, will be able to deliver the kind of development we need while protecting the things that matter to people, such as green open space.”
Priorities in the Plan include protecting the green belt, creating hundreds of new jobs each year, meeting housing needs, supporting growth with the necessary infrastructure and regeneration strategies for key locations.
If Full Council agrees to adopt the Plan, it will provide the basis for decisions on all subsequent planning applications.
Master Plans are currently being drawn up for how land at Murton Gap and Killingworth Moor could be developed and will be considered by Cabinet later in the year.
These blueprints will ensure that both sites, as well as their surrounding communities, positively benefit from any development.
This will include engagement with ward members and local communities before any decisions are made.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Local Plan timeline:
November 2013: Local Plan consultation draft published
February 2015: Further consultation draft published
October 2015: Cabinet agrees to refer the North Tyneside Local Plan pre-submission draft to Full Council for approval to allow formal public consultation to be carried out and for the Plan to be submitted to the Secretary of State
October 2015: Full Council approves the Local Plan pre-submission draft for public consultation and submission to the Secretary of State for examination by an independent Inspector
November 2015: North Tyneside Local Plan pre-submission draft for a six-week consultation published
June 2016: The North Tyneside Local Plan pre-submission draft, including minor modifications, is submitted to the Secretary of State and an independent Planning Inspector is appointed
November-December 2016: Examination in Public hearings take place
January-March 2017: Schedule of proposed main modifications to the Local Plan published for consultation
March 2017: Responses received to consultation on main modifications submitted to the Inspector
May 2017: Inspector’s report and recommended main modifications to the Local Plan published, concluding that the Plan is sound
June 2017: Cabinet agrees to recommend the Local Plan to Full Council for adoption
Key conclusions from the Inspector’s report:
Recognition that the Plan seeks to secure sustainable development through growth, investment and regeneration to meet the needs of the borough, while protecting the green belt and significant areas of identified green infrastructure
The authority has complied with its duty to co-operate with neighbouring authorities in preparing the Plan
The way public consultation and engagement carried out by the council was appropriate (see sub-heading ‘engagement and consultation for further explanation)
Level of housing growth:
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, the Inspector recommended a total number of homes to be built in the borough each year to meet objectively assessed need. The medium growth option put forward by the council was accepted as appropriate and has only shifted in a minor way.
This means 16,593 homes will be built by 2032 rather than 17,388 – the number according to the previous medium growth option. 2,170 homes have already been built, leaving a total of 14,423 to be delivered.
Engagement and consultation:
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.
