PAPER C

Purpose: For Information

REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE

Date: 15 DECEMBER 2004

Title: SOUTH EAST PLAN

JOINT REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UK AND EU, REGIONAL ISSUES AND THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING POLICY

IMPLEMENTATION DATE : 5 January 2005

1. PURPOSE

1.1 This report seeks to update Members on progress on the South East Plan and in particular special policies for the Isle of Wight to be included in consultation on the Plan which is due to take place between January and March 2005. The report also sets out SEERA's request for assistance in the consultation process and Members are asked to endorse the approach set out in the report.

BACKGROUND

2.1 The objective of the South East Plan is to provide a vision for the whole region up to 2026. SEERA is responsible for the Plan production and as part of consultation with key stakeholders has identified the need for a number of sub-regional strategies. Although the Isle of Wight was identified in a wider study area, including South Hampshire, SEERA determined not to include it within the South Hampshire sub-region but designated the Island as a Special Policy Area.

2.2 In order to meet the very tight timescales set by Government for producing the South East Plan, the Executive agreed on 8 September 2004 to give delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Environment Services, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holders for Economic Development, UK and EU, Regional issues (Cllr Rees) and Sustainable Development, Environment and Planning Policy (Cllr Mrs Butchers) to put forward the special policies to SEERA. The special policies agreed by the group are contained in the S.E Plan IW Special Policy Area document, which will be available in colour at the meeting or electronically on :www.iwight.com and will be included in the South East Plan during the public consultation exercise which will take place in the New Year.

REPORT DETAILS

3.1 The S.E Plan IW Special Policy Area document sets out three special policies for the Island for inclusion within the South East Plan. Policy 1 sets out the objective of supporting economic regeneration, including tourism, and requests that the Island continues to be designated a Priority Area for Economic Regeneration within the Region.

3.2 Policy 2 stresses the importance of maintaining and improving cross-Solent links as part of an integrated transport package. Policy 3 focusses on the importance and quality of the Island's rural environment and the need to give consideration to rural priority areas.

3.3 In addition, there is also a statement on housing provision and the need to achieve at least 520 dwellings per year. This figure is the same as that already in RPG9 and represents a continuation of growth at the same level as set out in the current UDP.

3.4 It should be stressed that these policies are for consultation and consideration by SEERA and the final decision as to their inclusion and precise wording and content rests with the Regional Assembly.

3.5 SEERA is currently drafting the South East Plan for consultation, including the Island's special policies, and a further 10 sub-regional strategies are being produced across the region.

3.6 The Assembly is also required to produce a "Statement of Public Participation" in respect of the South East Plan which refers to the role of strategic local authorities in the process.

3.7 Since Councils are deemed to be resourced to support regional planning, the Assembly is looking to local authorities to raise awareness about the Plan, through detailed involvement in the consultation process on the SE Plan. Commitment is being sought on:

· editorial, an advertisement and consultation questionnaire in Council residents' magazine/newspaper;

· web editorial and links to the South East Plan website;

· display of South East Plan leaflets in libraries and other public buildings;

· access to copies of the Draft South East Plan;

· holding a public consultation meeting;

· engaging with LSPs and Parish and Town Councils to consult local communities;

· circulating leaflets to all secondary schools;

· encouraging Youth Cabinets to debate the South East Plan.

3.8 The South East County Councils have collectively agreed to play their role, albeit emphasising that how this would best work locally should be discussed with their partners.

3.9 The timescale for South East Plan production is as follows:

January-March 2005 Publication consultation on Draft South East Plan by SEERA

Summer/Autumn 2005 SEERA submits South East Plan to Government

Spring 2006 Public consultation on South East Plan by GOSE

Public examination of South East proposals by GOSE

Summer 2006 Government approval of South East Plan

3.10 A copy of the draft SE Plan Special Policy Area Document will be available at the meeting of the Executive or electronically on : http://www.iwight.com/council/meetings/meetings.asp?cmtId=10#10

4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

4.1 Given the importance of the South East Plan to the future of the Island, the additional costs of producing the special policies have been found from Planning Delivery Grant (PDG) and have accounted for approximately 2.5 person days per week between September and December 2004.

4.2 Although it has been stated that local authorities have been provided with budget for regional work through SSA, any costs associated with the forthcoming consultation exercise will again have to be found from PDG. This could account for at least another 1.5 person days per week during the January to March 2005 consultation on the South East Plan.

4.3 It is difficult at this stage to identify the costs of undertaking this consultation on behalf of SEEDA on the Island. It is unlikely to exceed £10,000. The principal cost will be the opportunity cost of staff in the Planning Policy Team being unable to devote their time to normal duties in general, and work on the LDF in particular.

5. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

5.1 There is a chain of conformity for LDFs similar to that which is already in place with regard to RPG9 and the UDP. Any document the Island produces as part of its LDF will need to be in conformity with the Regional Spatial Strategy (South East Plan) and any associated sub-regional strategy or policies. This conformity is set out in Section 24 of the Planning And Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

5.2 In addition, Section 4 of the Act deals with the assistance that the Regional Planning Body should seek from each local authority within its area.

6. OPTIONS

6.1 As the special policies have already been sent to SEERA (para 2.2), there are no options in terms of this part of the report.

6.2 In terms of local consultation, the Council could determine not to become involved in the process but this would undermine the desire to have special policies included in the Plan.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. That Members note the Special Isle of Wight Policy submitted to SEERA for inclusion in the Consultation Draft South East Plan.

2. That Members endorse the consultation process and commit to undertaking local consultations set out in paragraph 3.7, subject to any local variations as deemed fit.

Contact Point : Ashley Curzon, Planning Policy Manager ( 823557 email : [email protected]

ANDREW ASHCROFT Head of Planning Services

HARRY REES Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, UK and EU, Regional Issues TERRY BUTCHERS Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development, Environment and Planning Policy