The Council consulted on the Vision and Objectives for the plan in 2021 and the Strategic Growth Options last year. The next stage in preparation of the Preferred Strategy which will set out the preferred level of housing and jobs growth for the plan and the spatial strategy to deliver this growth. It will also identify those Key Policies which will inform the preparation of a Deposit Plan.
This is the first formal stage in plan preparation and is a key stage in the development of the plan. Welsh Government guidance relating to the preparation of LDPs requires them to be founded on a robust and up to date evidence base. Given this, it is important that the Preferred Strategy is informed by the latest evidence. This requirement is also a “test of soundness” which will be considered by an appointed Inspector during the independent examination of the plan.
In view of this, it is important that the development of the LDP Preferred Strategy is informed by latest evidence relating to housing need and revised population figures following the release of the 2021 Census findings, and an updated Local Housing Market Assessment completed in accordance with the revised Welsh Government methodology issued last year.
To allow sufficient time to fully consider these matters, the Preferred Strategy will now be considered by Cabinet and Council later than anticipated in 2023, with consultation likely to be in the summer 2023. The proposed dates for the revised timetable are set out below:
- Consultation on Preferred Strategy – July to September 2023
- Consultation on Deposit Plan – July to September 2024
- Examination – May 2025 to October 2025
- Adoption – November 2025
These revised timescales will also enable the Council to consider fully how the plan can effectively deliver corporate priorities set out in Stronger, Fairer, Greener Strategy. and respond to both the Council’s declared climate and nature emergencies. It will also allow sufficient time for the various assessments of the Preferred Strategy required by Welsh Government guidance to be completed and fully considered.
Importantly. the revised timetable set out above will enable the preparation of a robust plan, aligned to the Council’s Corporate priorities and based on the latest evidence.
