Issue - meetings

To receive and consider report 161/06 of the Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer.

Introduction and Report Summary

Under Section 39(2) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, Sustainability Appraisal is mandatory for new Development Plan Documents (DPDs). This puts into effect the requirements of European Directive 2001/42/EC on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes on the Environment which came into effect by regulations produced in 2004. The now Department for Communities and Local Government produced guidance in November 2005 on the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of Local Development Documents.

The first stage in the SA process (Stage A) is the production of a Scoping Report. This serves as the foundation for the SA of the Vale’s Core Strategy. Essentially it provides the information relating to the area and other background information together with a suggested assessment framework.

Consultation on the document has to be undertaken with the now three designated environmental bodies (English Heritage, the Environment Agency and Natural England) and any other bodies or persons that the Council considers necessary. Following any amendments arising out of the consultation the background information and the framework will be used to assess the sustainability of the Core Strategy. A final SA Report has to be produced to accompany the Core Strategy DPD when submitted to the Secretary of State.

A draft Scoping Report was considered by the Structure And Local Plan Advisory Group 3^rd January 2007. The report has been modified in response to comments made at that meeting and subsequently in response to comments by other Members.

The Contact Officer for this report is Peter Williams, Principal Planning Officer, (01235 520202)

Recommendations

that the Executive approves the Draft Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report as contained in the appendix to this report, and

that the public and relevant organisations are consulted in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement. 

(Time: 10.40am to 10.45am)

(Councillor Bob Johnston declared a personal interest in this item and in accordance with Standing Order 34, he remained in the meeting during its consideration.)

The Executive received and considered report 161/06 of the Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer, regarding the Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report which was part of the Local Development Framework.  The Sustainability Appraisal was one of the Development Plan Documents. 

The first stage in the sustainability appraisal process was the production of a scoping report.  This was foundation of the Vale’s Core Strategy, providing background information together with a suggested assessment framework.  A draft scoping report had been considered by the Structure And Local Plan Advisory Group on 3 January 2007 and subsequently all Members of the Council were consulted on the document.  The report had been modified in response to comments made. 

Consultation on the document had to be undertaken with three designated environmental bodies: English Heritage, the Environment Agency and Natural England, and any other bodies or persons that the Council considered necessary.  Following any amendments arising out of the consultation the background information and the framework would be used to assess the sustainability of the Core Strategy.  A final report had to be produced to accompany the Core Strategy to submit to the Secretary of State. 

The Executive asked that the word “draft” was added to the document’s title before it was sent out for consultation and that a check was made to ensure the most up-to-date information was included.  Members also asked that a briefing was offered to new Members of the Council after the May 2007 elections on the Local Development Framework. 

RESOLVED

(a)        that the Draft Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report, as set out in the appendix to report 161/07, be approved;

(b)               that the public and relevant organisations be consulted in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement;

(c)               that authority be delegated to the Deputy Director (Planning and Community Strategy) to approve any further editorial changes; and

(d)               that a briefing be offered to new Members of the Council after the May 2007 elections on the Local Development Framework.