Agenda item

The Council considered a report of the Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth which sought approval to the adoption of the County Durham Plan, including Policies Map, following its Independent Examination by a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State (for copy see file of Minutes).

In moving adoption of the County Durham Plan, Councillor C Marshall, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration thanked all staff involved in the production of the Plan.  The County Durham Plan was a plan for all of County Durham which sought to ensure that every resident had the best opportunities in terms of employment and housing and built on the Council’s record of attracting investment.  The strategy of the Plan had remained unaltered and had been accepted as being robust for the future of the County.  The Plan delivered housing where it was needed, helped address the cause of climate change, identified infrastructure to support new development and protected landscapes and natural and historic environments.  Work on the Plan had involved extensive consultation with residents, businesses and stakeholders from across the County and beyond.

In seconding adoption of the County Durham Plan Councillor K Shaw, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing and Assets informed Council that the County Durham Plan demonstrated the benefits of having a clear strategy which could deliver positive outcomes for communities.  The Plan presented a great opportunity to ensure the right type and mix of housing was delivered to meet current and future needs and was a key document to ensure a positive future for County Durham.

Councillors R Bell, C Martin, M Wilkes, A Hopgood, P Sexton, O Temple and J Shuttleworth all expressed concern that the Plan was too Durham City-centric and did not have an emphasis on development of the whole of County Durham and were unable to support adoption of the Plan.  Councillor A Shield shared the concerns that the Plan was too focussed on Durham City.

Councillors Tinsley, Patterson and Clare all spoke in support of adoption of the Plan.

Upon a vote being taken it was

Resolved:

That:

(a)         the County Durham Plan 2016-2035, presented in Appendix 3, incorporating the Main Modifications as set out in the Inspector’s Final Report and other Additional Modifications, presented in Appendix 4 be adopted.  In doing so, this would replace the saved policies from the former district local plans and a number of policies from the existing Minerals and Waste Local Plans;

(b)         the updated Policies Map, presented in Appendix 5 incorporating the Main Modifications as set out in the Inspector’s Final Report be approved;

(c)          the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration be authorised to make any necessary minor textual, presentational or layout amendments to the County Durham Plan 2016-2035 (Appendix 3);

(d)         the content of the Adoption Statement attached at Appendix 6 prepared in accordance with Regulation 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 and the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Post Adoption Statement (PAS), attached at Appendix 7, prepared in accordance with Regulation 16 of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 be noted.