Agenda item

Adoption of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006 - 2028)

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Spatial Planning outlined the comprehensive and thorough process undertaken in order to bring this Plan before members including numerous opportunities for both elected members and residents to consider and comment on the content.

Members were informed that the adoption of the Local Plan represented an opportunity for South Somerset District Council as a Local Planning authority to take a leading role in delivering sustainable development for our communities. Members were informed that following an initial consideration by the Inspector, several amendments were identified and the Plan now before members had been revised accordingly to reflect the Inspector’s comments. Following these revisions, the Inspector found the Plan sound and available for adoption.

The Portfolio Holder went on to explain that two risk matrices had been prepared, showing the considerable risks faced by the authority should members vote not to adopt the Plan.

The Portfolio Holder concluded by thanking all members of the Spatial Planning team for their hard work and dedication in preparing the Local Plan,

In response to questions from members, the Portfolio Holder – Finance and Spatial Planning and the Principle Spatial Planner responded that:

· it is estimated that to date £2.7 million has been spent on producing the Plan.

· The Environment Agency have been involved in all aspects of developing the Plan and no major issues had been identified;

· The Local Plan should be seen as starting point and not as a definitive answer.

· Once the authority was in receipt of the Inspector’s report, we are beholden to adopt the Plan.

· One member asked that in future documentation, Ilchester is correctly referred to a village.

· It was agreed that the report commissioned into aircraft movement associated with Yeovilton would be circulated to those members who request a copy.

The recommendations were moved en bloc and after being duly seconded, were put to the vote. The vote was carried 44 in favour, 0 against, with 5 abstentions.

Councillor Patrick Palmer asked that it be noted that he had abstained due to his interest as declared.

RESOLVED:

That Council agreed to:

1. accept the conclusions of the Inspector’s Report and approve the necessary Main Modifications to make the South Somerset Local Plan (2006 – 2028) sound (Appendix A); and

2. approve the Additional Modifications (Appendix C);

3. adopt the South Somerset Local Plan (2006 – 2028) (Appendix B).

4. approve the Adoption Statement (Appendix D), Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement (Appendix E), and revised Policies Maps (Appendix F); and

5. delegate responsibility to the Assistant Director for Economy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Spatial Planning to make any final minor text amendments which may be necessary to enable the Adopted South Somerset Local Plan (2006 – 2028) and Policies Map to be published.

Reason:

To consider the conclusions of the Inspectors report and note how the 12 Main Modifications and Additional Modifications amend the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028) and to formally adopt the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028).

(Voting: 44 in favour, 0 against, 5 abstentions)

Supporting documents:

Agenda item

Adoption of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006 - 2028)

Council and Democracy