Object

Representation ID: 9055

Received: 12/11/2021

Respondent: Colmworth Parish Council

Agent: Troy Planning + Design

1.1. The Draft Local Plan explains the reason that a Local Plan update is needed is in order to reflect emerging national policies for the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. However the Spatial Framework for the Arc has not been determined by Government. .
“Normally local plans are reviewed every five years but this update is require sooner in order to reflect emerging national policies for the Oxford to Cambridge Arc.”
1.2. Indeed, the Local Plan Inspectors for the currently adopted Local Plan 2030 necessitated an early review of the Local Plan in their Report2. However, it is critical that the context of this conclusion by the Inspectors is understood and appreciated. The Inspectors considered that there was a need for the plan to respond appropriately to longer term requirements, particularly the Arc. It was envisaged by the Inspectors that a review of the Local Plan and any update to it be submitted for examination within three years of adoption would be an ample amount of time for sufficient clarity about the implications (for Bedford and its neighbours) of the Arc to be known to enable such a review.
“Nevertheless, there is a need for the plan to respond appropriately to longer term requirements, and in particular the Arc, as soon as possible. Consequently, notwithstanding the statutory requirement for the plan to be reviewed, and then updated if necessary, within five years of its adoption, it is necessary for a review and update to be completed more quickly. On this basis (and for other reasons detailed elsewhere in this report), MM1 is necessary for the plan to be justified and effective. This requires a review of the plan and any update of it/new plan to be submitted for examination within three years of adoption of the current plan. Based on the discussion at the hearings the three year deadline appropriately balances the need for the plan to be reviewed and updated as quickly as possible with the realities of the time likely to be necessary for the Council to effectively undertake this work.”
“The wording of the policy recognises the need to align strategic growth with the delivery of planned infrastructure and refers to the aspiration of preparing a joint strategic plan in future. These are both appropriate aims and whilst we recognise that the policy cannot dictate the parameters of a future plan, we are satisfied that the wording proposed is effective and justified.”