Issue - decisions

Regional Spatial Strategy – Partial Review – Consultation on Submitted Draft Policies

24/03/2009 - Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West – Partial Review – Consultation on Interim Draft Policies

Cabinet were advised that the Regional Leaders Forum (4NW) had published Draft Interim Policies as the next stage in the Partial Review of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West.  Following discussions with the Government, the scope of the Review had been amended and would now only cover policies for gypsies and travellers, travelling showpeople and parking standards.  The remaining issues would be reviewed as part of the emerging single Regional Strategy which was to be the subject of a separate consultation process.

 

The deadline for comments on the Draft Interim Policies for gypsies and travellers, travelling showpeople and parking standards was 27 March 2009.  It was recommended that the Directors Comments set out within the body of the report form the basis of the Council’s response to 4NW.

 

Resolved - That the Directors Comments and Recommendations 1 to 3 set out in this report form the basis of the Council’s response to the Regional Leaders Forum.


14/11/2008 - Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West – Partial Review – Consultation on Interim Draft Policies

The Secretary of State published the North West of England Plan Regional Spatial Strategy to 2021 (RSS) on 30 September 2008, replacing Regional Planning Guidance for the North West (RPG13, March 2003).  The new RSS  provides the framework for development and investment in the region over the next fifteen to twenty years.  It would form part of the statutory Development Plan for Wirral alongside the Council’s Unitary Development Plan and would have implications for the determination of individual planning applications and other decisions under the Planning Acts, with immediate effect.

 

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Services presented a report which summarised the main content of the new RSS and set out the implications for future decisions, policies and initiatives in Wirral.  The Director recommended that the policies of the new RSS were used in development control decisions for all planning applications determined after 30 September 2008; that the principles and priorities of the new RSS were incorporated into the Council’s Local Development Framework; that the Council’s Interim Planning Policy for New Housing Development be reviewed subject to the outcome of a public inquiry at Rockybank Road; and that a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment for Wirral be prepared as part of a joint commission with Liverpool City Council to reflect the arrangements already agreed for the Mersey Heartlands Growth Point.

 

Resolved : That

 

(1)  the policies of the North West of England Plan be used in development control decisions for all planning applications determined after 30 September 2008;

 

(2)  the principles and priorities set out within the North West of England Plan be incorporated into the issues and options to be addressed by the Council’s Local Development Framework;

 

(3)  the Council’s Interim Planning Policy for New Housing Development be reviewed following the outcome of the public inquiry at Rockybank Road and that a report on the review be brought back to Cabinet before public consultation is undertaken; and

 

(4)  a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment for Wirral be prepared as part of a joint commission with Liverpool City Council to reflect the arrangements already agreed for the Mersey Heartlands Growth Point.