Agenda item

This report was presented by the Policy & Communities Team Manager. 

It was explained that approval is needed for the consultation processes.  Thanks were given to the Policy & Communities Team for their work and also for the input received from the Members steering group.  The recommendations before the authority enables the steering group to finalise the draft and make any further arrangements. It was felt that consultation is key especially to those living and working in the Peak District.  Success will be based on a wide consultation of all those within the Peak District along with key stakeholders. 

There were questions regarding the assimilation of all the views and how this would be done. Every comment has to be taken into account and recorded and responded to.  The more cogent points will be extracted and discussed with the steering group.  The Policy team are working with the Marketing and Communities team on a strategy to publicise the consultation which shall run for longer than the statutory 6 weeks.  There will be on-line consultations along with packs distributed to parish councils as well as face-to-face events. 

Cllr Murphy left the meeting at 10.43am.

·       There is a statutory consultation list and the intention is to go above and beyond this list.  The new consultation portal is capable of doing a substantial part of the analysis. 

·       A concern was raised regarding affordable homes and accommodation for young people in order to thrive.  Questions 30,31 and 32 in the consultation relate to affordable housing.

• It was mentioned that there were some omissions in the document namely relating to homes used as holiday and second homes (change of use, local licencing, loss of primary use etc).  Also noted the lack of questions regarding visitor parking and provision for the parking of camper vans.  The change of use of housing is referenced in the full document report but it does not form part of the consultation because currently there is no planning legislation that can be used.  Issue 41 does cover visitor parking and is linked to another issue regarding recreation hubs Issue 24.

Cllr Murphy returned to the meeting at 10.50am.

Cllr Gregory attended the meeting at 10.50am.

·       There are 54 Questions in the survey and it was recognised this is a big consultation because there are 2 documents combined into one document.  It is possible to just answer questions relating to a single issue and focus on areas which interest you e.g. just those on housing.

·       There was a question relating to the on-line portal and the legitimacy of the respondents. On an on-line portal (as with any other method) you cannot restrict responses but responses are assessed by officers.  Anyone who wishes to make a representation will be free to do so.

·       How will the new government plans that emerge over the next few years  effect the strategies? - a close eye is being kept on this and a new National Planning Policy Framework will be issued soon. 

·       Members will be able to share this on their social media

·       The importance of affordable housing is addressed by Issues 30,31 and 32.

·       Issue 17 was discussed relating to conversion of isolated traditional building and flexibility needs to be an inherent part of this.  This Issue 17 relates more to a particular category of buildings in isolated and visible locations. 

·       Will there be monitoring on certain questions/areas that are not being answered.  Can you then target these areas?  The live portal will bring in all the responses and can do live monitoring so specific targeting may be an option.

·       A formal “consultation response document” will be produced along with the analysis.  Can do summary analysis through the portal. 

·       In the near future there will be a fully staffed Policy and Communities Team and therefore they are hopeful that there is enough staff to deal with the responses and analysis.

The recommendations as set out in the report were moved, seconded, voted on and carried.

RESOLVED:

1.     That approval be granted to launch the Issues and Options public consultation exercise, pursuant to Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, for a period of 8 weeks commencing on Monday 7^th October 2024 until Friday 29^th November 2024 (“Regulation 18 Consultation”).

2.     That approval be granted to launch the Sustainability Appraisal public consultation exercise alongside the Regulation 18 Consultation.

3.     That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Local Plan Review Member Steering Group, to finalise the consultation materials and arrangements, including any technical or drafting amendments.