Issue - meetings

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  ...  view the full decision text for item 9.