Decision details

1.

Title of Item/Report

Stockton-on-Tees Local Plan

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on the Stockton-on-Tees Local Plan.

In January 2024, in accordance with Regulation 10A of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, a five-year review of the Local Plan concluded that a full update through a new Local Plan was required. Council agreed that progressing a new Local Plan under the emerging plan-making system was the most robust and cost-effective approach.

The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 came into force on 25 March 2026, introducing a new regulatory framework for the preparation of Local Plans, Minerals and Waste Plans, and Supplementary Plans.

The report sought Council’s agreement to commence a new Local Plan in accordance with the 2026 Regulations, authorising all required elements to allow for progression through the ‘getting ready’ stage, including giving a notice of intention to MHCLG by 31 December 2026, and meeting all the necessary requirements to enable the commencement of Gateway 1 by 30 April 2027.

The report also sought approval to establish a cross-party consultative and advisory steering group to support the Local Plan process.

Cabinet RESOLVED that:-

1.  The commencement of a new Local Plan be endorsed.

and recommends that Council agrees to the following;

RECOMMENDED to Council that:-

2. Council approves the commencement of a full update of the Stockton on Tees Local Plan in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004) as amended and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

3. Council delegates the preparation, publication and submission of a ‘Notice of intention to commence the Stockton on Tees Local Plan’ to the Director of Regeneration & Inclusive Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing and that this will be made available in accordance with the Local Plan Timetable and no later than September 2026.

4. Council approves the preparation and submission of an updated Local Plan Timetable in broad accordance with Appendix 1 and authorises its submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and its publication.

5. Council delegates authority to the Director of Inclusive Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member to update and publish the Local Plan Timetable monthly or as required, to ensure an up-to-date timetable is publicly available in accordance with Regulation 6 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

6. Council approves the commencement of a Design Guide Supplementary Plan to comply with the requirement of Section 15B and 15F(1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) and delegates authority to the Director of Inclusive Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing to produce a draft document for consultation.

7. Council authorises officers to explore the preparation of a Joint Minerals and Waste Plan with neighbouring Local Planning Authorities and delegate to the Director of Regeneration and Inclusive Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, the responsibility for all matters relating to Stockton-on-Tees Borough, including;

•         the commissioning of an associated evidence base (as necessary);

•         develop a ‘Joint Minerals and Waste Plan agreement’ under section 15I of the

Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004) as amended;

•         develop a Minerals and Waste Plan Timetable;

•         undertake a ‘scoping consultation’ on the joint Tees Valley Minerals and Waste Local Plan; and

•         produce all associated documentation to allow to progress the joint Tees Valley Minerals and Waste Local Plan to progress through Gateway 1.

8. Council delegates authority to the Director of Inclusive Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, to agree commencement of the scoping consultation for the Local Plan which will:

•         provide an opportunity for residents, community groups, businesses and other interested parties to register to be notified of Local Plan updates, via the Council website;

•         consultation taking place in accordance with the Local Plan Regulations;

•         consultation material being made publicly available; and

•         a consultation plan being produced prior to Gateway 1 after having regard to comments made during the statutory scoping consultation.

9. Council delegates authority to the Director of Inclusive Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, to undertake all necessary steps to inform and prepare the documents for the Gateway 1 self-assessment which may include commissioning evidence, undertaking a call for sites and preparing draft vision, Local Plan content and consultation plan, on the proposed local plan.

10. Council approves the formation of a cross-party consultative and advisory Members working group in broad accordance with the draft Terms of Reference at Appendix 2 to support the Local Plan process.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

To commence a new Local Plan and comply with the new plan making regulations within the associated prescribed timeframes.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, 22 May 2026 for recommendation 1 only.