Agenda item

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the attached report.

RESOLVED – That the proposed minor (non-material) modifications to the ‘made’ (adopted) Hawkhurst Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) be incorporated into a modified Hawkhurst NDP be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Approval would reflect changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and take account of some minor factual updates.  In doing so, the Council would continue its support of the development of NDP’s which is specifically included in the Five Year Plan. 

Stephen Baughen, Head of Planning introduced the report that proposed minor (non-material) modifications to the made Hawkhurst Neighbourhood Development Plan. 

Discussion and responses to Members questions included the following matters:

-       The Hawkhurst Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) was ‘made’ (adopted) by Full Council on 26 March 2018.

-       Since that date the Hawkhurst NDP had formed part of the overall development plan for Tunbridge Wells Borough and all decisions on planning proposals within Hawkhurst Parish were required to take account of the policies within the ‘made’ development plan.

-       Changes in planning legislation and national policy needed to be monitored and any implications to be considered for the NDP.

-       Hawkhurst were now proposing a light touch review to take account of recent changes.

-       The minor modifications were presented to members of the public by the Parish Council in late 2019.  Planning policy officers had reviewed  and commented on the proposed changes. 

-       The Parish Council would carry out a more detailed review of their NDP at a later date that would reflect subsequent stages of the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan.

-       National Planning Practice Guidance set out 3 ways that an NDP could be amended.  The first was for minor material modifications  which did not require a review by an independent examiner or referendum.  Other more expensive changes required a review by either an independent examiner or referendum.

-       The proposed amendments for the Hawkhurst NDP were considered minor and therefore did not require review by either an independent examiner or referendum.

-       It was noted that the legal advice confirmed the ‘made’ date would remain the same as the original ‘made’ date of March 2018, but when referred to should state both this date and the modified date of April 2020 (subject to approval by Cabinet).

-       In the ‘made’ NDP it set out that the preferred location for a new Community Centre was All Saints Church.  Subsequently, planning permission had been granted for its conversion to residential.  This meant it was no longer available for a Community Centre.  The reference and accompanying map would be removed from the proposed amended NDP. 

-       The Planning Policy Department at TWBC was now set up with a dedicated officer with responsibility for NDP’s. One of the roles included liaison with the Parishes as and when substantial changes to national policy were announced. This would ensure new policy was incorporated into the NDP’s. 

-       Subsequent to the making of the Hawkhurst NDP there had been changes to national policy, particularly around the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which had not been altered since 2012. 

-       Government had issued a Planning White Paper which had indicated further changes to the planning system.  If and when any changes were announced, TWBC liaise with the Parishes to ensure that where NDP’s were being produced, those changes were reflected.   For those with existing NPD’s any changes would be included when it was next reviewed. 

-       TWBC were currently reviewing the detailed representations made on the Borough Local Plan.  This would include elements around biomass burning. 

-       For Planning Applications, these should always be determined in accordance with current planning policy unless material considerations indicated otherwise. 

RESOLVED – That the proposed minor (non-material) modifications to the ‘made’ (adopted) Hawkhurst Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) be incorporated into a modified Hawkhurst NDP be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Approval would reflect changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and take account of some minor factual updates.  In doing so, the Council would continue its support of the development of NDP’s which is specifically included in the Five Year Plan.