Agenda item

The Committee received a report presented by the Executive Board Member – Deputy Leader (with responsibility for Planning Services) on the preparation of a Revised (replacement) Local Development Plan for Carmarthenshire in accordance with the Council’s resolution on the 10^th January, 2018 . She advised that the current report detailed the responses received to the formal consultation process and sought to set out a series of proposed Focused Changes to recommendations received along with those that may have emerged as a result of changes in legislation, guidance, evidence or, in the interests of clarity and meaning.

The following issues were raised on the report:-

·        In response to a question on the potential impacts of Covid on communities and the way of working, the Executive Board Member advised that the Plan preparation had continually monitored changes and the impacts they could have for example, the potential level of migration into the county from people who perceived Carmarthenshire to be a safer place to live. The impact of increased homeworking would also require monitoring for example to assess if there was a need for external areas to be provided within developments to act as both a reprieve from the home environment and to prommote outdoor exercise. The impact on access to doctors’ surgeries and NHS support would also need to be assessed.

·        With regard to the Plans’ progression to adoption, that was scheduled for submission for independent examination in May 2021 with the examination in public to formally commence in July 2021 with the Pre-Hearing meeting. A request had also been made for the appointed Inspector to have an understanding of Carmarthenshire

·        Reference was made to the status of land included within the current LDP and to whether they could be removed from the revised LDP if, for example, planning consent had been refused.

The Forward Planning Manager advised there was the potential for that situation to arise as the Plan’s emphasis was on project deliverability. However, as every piece of land submitted for inclusion within the Revised Plan was accompanied with representations those would be submitted to the Inspector for consideration on its inclusion or, otherwise. The Plan would also be examined in public and the public/developers would have the opportunity of making representations to the Inspector.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received