Decision Maker: Housing and Regeneration
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
The Harrow Local Plan is one of the key
documents in the Council’s policy framework. The current plan
is considered in many respects to be ‘out-of-date’ in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 new plan is being prepared in
the
context of Government deadlines under the National Planning Policy
Framework (NPPF) (2024) and delegated authority was agreed by
Council to allow the process to continue in an expeditious manner,
subject to the terms
of the express authorisation.
It is confirmed that:
(1) There are no major modifications arising from the Regulation 19
statutory
public consultation. The plan to be submitted is the same as that
previously approved by Council for consultation.
(2) Submission under delegated authority is needed due to the draft
National
Planning Policy Framework 2024 being published in its final form
prior to the
outcome of the Regulation 19 consultation.
That the draft Harrow Local Plan 2021-2041 and
accompanying documents be submitted to the Secretary of State under
Regulation 22 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning)
(England) Regulations 2012.
Alternative options considered/rejected by the officer: The option not to submit the plan for examination was considered and rejected as it considered that the representations received during consultation and suggested modifications do not impact upon the view of officers that the plan (as consulted on) is ‘sound’ against the tests in the NPPF and that it is therefore appropriate to submit the plan for examination. The option of not exercising delegated authority granted by Full Council to submit the plan for examination was considered and rejected as notwithstanding the changes made in the final version of the NPPF published on 12 March 2024, it is still considered prudent to submit the plan as expeditiously as possible, particularly in the context of the NPPF2024 and the pending five year anniversary of the London Plan (March 2026) and the implications this will have on plan making and decision taking in Harrow.
Declaration of Interest: The Leader advised that he has a non pecuniary interest as he is a member of Harrow West Conservative Association, which is listed in the site allocations. Having taken advice from the Monitoring Officer, he is advised that he can be consulted on this decision.
Terms of any express authorisation: 169. New Harrow Local Plan – proposed version for pre-submission (Regulation 19 stage) consultation RESOLVED: That (1) consultation on the draft Local Plan (‘Regulation 19’ consultation), as attached at Appendix 1 to the officer report and accompanying documents (including those attached as appendices to the report), and the consultation arrangements as outlined in section 14 of the report, be agreed; (2) the Chief Planning Officer be authorised following consultation with the Planning and Regeneration Portfolio Holder and the Leader of Council, to submit the draft Plan and accompanying documents under Regulation 22 to the Secretary of State, subject to no major modifications arising from the Regulation 19 statutory public consultation and where needed due to the draft National Planning Policy Framework 2024 being published in its final form prior to the outcome of the Regulation 19 consultation; (3) it be noted that Regulation 19 Version of the Local Plan would be used
Reference No: Housing and Regeneration / 2025/01 Full Council [Item 169(2)]
Contact: Chief Planning Officer.
Publication date: 26/02/2025
Date of decision: 04/03/2025