Agenda item

To seek approval of the North Tyneside Local Plan Policy Review 2022 and for it’s publication online.

A report was received setting out the Authority’s conclusions regarding a review of the North Tyneside Local Plan.  The Local Plan had been adopted by full Council on 20 July 2017.  National Planning Policy Framework and regulations required Local Authorities to undertake a review of their Local Plan policy at least every five years to establish whether they remained up to date.  To fulfil this legal requirement, the Authority had reviewed each of the policies within the North Tyneside Local Plan.

The Local Plan was a key document for the Authority which provided the policy framework for considering planning applications, supporting regeneration ambitions and contributing to the delivery of many of the priorities outlined in the Our North Tyneside Plan.  This included delivery of affordable homes, protection of the borough’s environment and jobs growth.

Since the adoption of the Local Plan there had been some notable changes in the wider social and economic context that shaped growth and development. The implications of Brexit for economic and housing growth remained uncertain as the Covid-19 pandemic had fundamentally shifted many aspects of the way individuals live and work. Climate change had also come into even greater focus, with North Tyneside Council recognising the importance placed on the issue with the declaration by full Council of a Climate Change Emergency in 2019.  National Planning Policy that set the framework against which Local Plans must be prepared had been updated three times, and key elements of planning guidance such as the approach to calculating Local Housing Need had been updated.

Despite these challenges, some important developments had been permitted or commenced since the Local Plan was adopted. This included:

·         Completion of refurbishment and re-opening of Spanish City.

·         Opening of a new supermarket and other retail units at The Forum, Wallsend and refurbishment and reuse of Wallsend Town Hall as a Business Centre.

·         Expansion of Northumberland Park District Centre and refurbishment and public realm improvements at Forest Hall District Centre.

·         Development of about 3,000 homes, including around 1,000 affordable homes.

·         Major highway improvements across the Borough including completion of the A19(T) Silverlink underpass.

·         North Shields Town Centre Regeneration - Howard Street and Northumberland Square

A Local Plan Review Summary Document and Policy Assessment was attached to the report at Appendix 1.  The review considered a range of matters including:

·         Changes in the national planning context

·         Changes in local circumstances and policy context

·         Development monitoring reports

·         The duty to co-operate; and

·         Appeals performance

The conclusions set out within the review at Appendix 1 addressed each chapter of the Local Plan: Spatial Strategy, Economy, Retail and Town Centres, Housing, Natural Environment, Built and Historic Environment, Infrastructure and Area Specific Strategies.

Based on the assessment undertaken, the Authority concluded that its Local Plan remained a sound Local Plan and there were no proposals to undertake further work at this time.  The Authority remained focused upon implementation to support delivery of the North Tyneside Local Plan’s objectives.

Cabinet considered the following decision options: to accept the recommendations set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report; or alternatively, to not accept the recommendations.

Resolved that (1) the findings of the North Tyneside Local Plan Policy Review 2022 be noted and agreed; and

(2) the online publication of the North Tyneside Local Plan Policy Review 2022, accompanied by a statement outlining that a review has been undertaken and found the Plan remains sound as an up-to-date strategy consistent with national planning policy, be agreed.

(Reason for decision: the Authority has a legal duty to undertake a review of its Local Plan and is expected to publish its conclusions, and a statement regarding the status of the Plan.  Failure to publish such a statement could result in the wider Local Plan being considered out of date and therefore reduce the Authority’s ability to manage development in the Borough.)