Agenda item

The Mayor invited the Leader to introduce the report to Council.

The Leader advised councillors that Cabinet gave the green light to commence the Local Development Plan review process back in October last year.  The first tasks in this process required the creation of a Review Report and a Delivery Agreement.

The Replacement LDP Review Report document set out the key legislation and policy changes, which have occurred since the adoption of the LDP back in 2015.  The document also included an assessment of what LDP polices were working well and which need to be reviewed.

The Replacement LDP Delivery Agreement was a timetable setting out how the Council intended to manage and deliver the LDP.  It also set out who, when and how the Council would consult and engage during the production of the Replacement LDP.

Both of these draft documents were subject to public consultation for 8 weeks’ between January and March 2021.

In respect of Consultation Feedback on the Review Report:

Appendix A of the Council Report set out all responses received.  In general, comments were supportive of the Review Report and agreed that a review of the LDP should progress.

Some responses to note included:

·        The Future Generations Commissioner for Wales noted that planning was a priority area in delivering the well-being goals.

·        Requests to halt any development in the Gwent Levels. The impact of large renewable energy schemes was a particular concern.

·        With the Welsh Government declaring a biodiversity and climate change emergency, the effectiveness of current policy to protect and enhance ecology was raised.

·        The continuation of a brownfield strategy was supported along with the need to ensure the plan’s strategy does not lead to social detriment.

·        The role and importance of mineral planning for Newport and the region.

·        The need for us to consider access to the river for recreation and lifeboat services.

·        The need to review tourism policy and recognise important this is to Newport’s economy.

·        The impact from Covid 19 and using planning as a tool to aid recovery.

·        The importance and opportunities that result from Heritage and its role in the Newport Offer.

·        The need to focus on the regeneration of the City Centre, and

·        The opportunities arising from national and regional public transport improvements.

In relation to the Delivery Agreement:

Appendix B of the Report sets out all responses received.  Again, there was general support for the Delivery Agreement and some of the comments received included:

·        Support for the proposed timetable.

·        Helpful links to stakeholders who had not been identified in the draft.

·        Questions on the impact on engagement with Covid-19, and

·        The need for transparency of decision making throughout the Replacement LDP process.

As a result of the public consultation, a small number of minor changes were made to both documents.  These changes were set out in the appendices and links to the new draft documents were also contained within the report.

Council were therefore asked to consider and approve these documents and agree for them to be submitted to Welsh Government.  Approval by Welsh Government would then signal the formal commencement of the LDP review.

The Development and Regeneration Manager gave a presentation of the Replacement LDP to Councillors.

Councillor Al-Nuaimi enquired as to why the Replacement LDP was added to the Council AGM Agenda and if it would go out to consultation.  The Development and Regeneration Manager confirmed that this document would go out to consultation.  The Chief Executive also added that given the timescales it was imperative that the report was brought to council.  This however was the very start of the process, councillor, community councillors and stakeholders would be able to influence the LDP.  Once this had been concluded the LDP would be submitted to Welsh Government.

The Mayor referred to the empty homes strategy and whether it would form part of the contribution to houses required within Newport.  The Development and Regeneration Manager advised that the empty homes strategy would be would be factored in to the mix as part of the equation.

The Leader moved the recommendation, which was duly seconded

Resolved:

That the Delivery Agreement and Review Report for the Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) be approved for submission to Welsh Government.