Decision details

Cabinet to agree to consult on the draft (Regulation 18 version) of the new Harrow Local Plan.

Delegated authority to be given to the Chief Planning Officer to enable finalisation of the document, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the report and Appendices be noted;

(2)            the feedback from the Planning Policy Advisory Panel (Appendix 4 of the officer report) be noted;

(3)            consultation on the draft Local Plan (‘Regulation 18’ consultation) attached at Appendix 1 of the officer report and the consultation arrangements outlined in section 8 of the report, be agreed;

(4)            authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer, following consultation with the Planning and Regeneration Portfolio Holder, to make minor modifications to the draft document prior to consultation, including inserting any outstanding process / background elements and presentational / typographical / accuracy amendments (as set out in paragraphs 6.7 and 6.8 of the officer report);

(5)            the outcomes of the consultation will be reported back to the Planning Policy Advisory Panel in mid-2024 and Cabinet in late-2024 (when it was intended approval would be sought for ‘Regulation 19’ consultation on the revised Plan).

Reason for Decision:  The Harrow Local Plan was one of the key documents in the Council’s policy framework.  The current plan was considered in many respects to be ‘out-of-date’ in the context of national and regional planning policy and therefore needs to be updated / replaced.  The process of preparing a new Local Plan included statutory consultation periods.  Cabinet’s agreement was required to undertake consultation.  The new plan was being prepared in the context of Government deadlines and delegated authority to make minor amendments to the Plan prior to consultation was necessary to allow the process to continue in a timely manner.