Agenda item

Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

Councillor Toby Sturgis presented the report which sought to: inform Cabinet of the Inspector’s Report into the examination of the Wiltshire Core Strategy and his conclusions regarding legal compliance and soundness; sought approval that the Wiltshire Core Strategy, as amended by the modifications in the Inspector’s Report and other focused and minor modifications that have arisen during the examination or been made in the interest of accuracy and consistency, be recommended to Council for adoption; and sought approval for the Associate Director for Economic Development and Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, Strategic Housing, Property and Waste, to undertake the final stages associated with the formal adoption by the Council of the Wiltshire Core Strategy

In the course of the presentation and the discussion, the issues discussed included: that officers be commended for their hard work in getting to this stage; that Council should adopt the Inspector’s Report in its entirety or risk further delay; that the Malmesbury Neighbourhood Plan had recently  received resounding approval by local referendum; that settlement boundaries would be reviewed following the adoption of the Core Strategy.

Councillor Scott thanked officer and asked that the officers respond to the issue raised by Fovant Parish Council, and ensured that the evidence required to address issue in relation to the Strategic Boundary of Chippenham be published as soon as practicable.

Resolved:

1. To note the content of the Inspector’s report, into the examination of the Wiltshire Core Strategy (Appendix 1 as presented), and his conclusions regarding legal compliance and soundness, and accepts the modifications in the Appendix of the Inspector’s Report, which the Inspector considers are necessary to make the plan sound in accordance with legislation and other focused and minor modifications that have arisen during the examination, which have been consulted on, or made in the interest of accuracy and consistency;

2. To recommend to Council that the Wiltshire Core Strategy, as amended as set out in (1) above be adopted as part of the statutory development plan for Wiltshire (Appendix 2 as presented);

3. To delegate authority to the Associate Director for Economic Development and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, Strategic Housing, Property and Waste for: the Policies Map to be amended in line with the modifications identified in (ii) and for further minor textual changes to be made to the Core Strategy prior to publication in the interests of accuracy and consistency; and

4. Following approval of Council, to agree that the Associate Director for Economic, Development and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, Strategic Housing, Property and Waste, undertakes the final stages associated with the formal adoption and publication of the Core Strategy.

Reason for decisions

The Wiltshire Core Strategy will form part of the Council’s Policy Framework. In accordance with the Local Government Acts 1972 and 2000, and the Council’s constitution it must first be approved by Cabinet before it is adopted by Council. As the document has been found sound by the Inspector its adoption by the Council would help ensure up to date planning policy is in place for Wiltshire and provide effective policies to ensure the sustainable development of Wiltshire.