Agenda item

(A report by Phil Norman, Service Director - Planning and Strategic Infrastructure)

The Committee considered a report and accompanying presentation delivered by the Service Director – Planning and Strategic Infrastructure, supported by the Local Plan Programme Manager, which set out the proposed approach to the preparation of a new Joint Local Plan for Boston Borough Council and South Holland District Council. The Programme Management Governance Hierarchy for Local Plan Delivery was attached as Appendix 1 and the Project Initiation Document V1 (PID) was attached as Appendix 2 within the report.

Members were advised that the Government had introduced a new streamlined system for plan-making under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, with regulations coming into force in March 2026. This represented a fundamental change to the plan-making process, introducing a mandatory, faster and more standardised approach.

The Committee was informed that the new system required local planning authorities to prepare, examine and adopt a Local Plan within a 30?month period, following an initial four-month “getting ready” stage and a series of formal gateway assessments by the Planning Inspectorate.

It was reported that Boston Borough Council and South Holland District Council were required to commence the new plan-making process no later than 30^th April 2027 and to submit a formal Notice of Intent by 31^st December 2026.

The presentation outlined the key objectives of the new system, including achieving full national coverage of up-to-date plans, accelerating plan preparation, increasing accessibility and transparency, and supporting the delivery of sustainable growth.

Members were advised that work was already underway to prepare for the new system, including the development of a programme plan, governance arrangements and an evidence base. The new Local Plan would guide development to 2044 and would play a key role in shaping the future of the area, including addressing strategic issues such as housing need, infrastructure delivery and flood risk.

The Committee was further advised that the plan-making process would adopt a “digital first” approach and would seek to engage Members and communities early in developing a shared vision for the area.

The Chairman invited questions and comments from Members.

Members discussed the financial implications of preparing the new Local Plan. It was confirmed that funding had been secured internally through the Councils’ budget-setting processes. Whilst external funding opportunities had been explored, the Councils had not met the criteria for previously available funding streams; however, officers would continue to monitor future opportunities.

The Committee considered the significant challenge of resourcing the plan-making process. Members noted that planning teams across the country were experiencing recruitment difficulties and queried how the partnership would secure the necessary expertise. In response, officers advised that a Group Manager for Planning Policy had been successfully appointed and would commence in August 2026, providing leadership for the Local Plan. Existing staffing included three policy officers across the partnership, supported by additional officers working across authorities, with further reliance on external consultants anticipated where necessary.

Members acknowledged the ambitious nature of the new statutory 30?month timetable and the pressures this would place on authorities nationally. It was recognised that competition for skilled professionals and specialist support would be significant, as all authorities would be progressing plans concurrently.

The Committee also noted the importance of progressing the Local Plan in order to retain local control over planning policy. Officers highlighted that Government had indicated a willingness to intervene where authorities failed to maintain up-to-date plans. Members therefore emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum and ensuring that local priorities and community aspirations were reflected in the emerging plan.

The role of the Committee was highlighted as being central to the success of the process, with Members encouraged to act as “place makers”, providing strategic direction and helping to shape the long-term vision for Boston and South Holland.

Overall, Members expressed support for the proposed approach, recognising both the challenges associated with delivery and the opportunity to establish a strong planning framework to guide growth and development across the area.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Henry Bingham and seconded by Councillor Barrie Pierpoint.

Resolved:

1.    That the commencement of work on the preparation of a new Joint Local Plan for Boston Borough Council and South Holland District Council under the new plan-making system be endorsed;

2.    That the Government’s principal changes to the local plan-making system and the progress made to date in preparing to commence work on the new Joint Local Plan be noted;

3.    That the Project Initiation Document (PID) Version 1, as set out within Appendix 1, as the general framework for the Councils’ work programme through to plan adoption be noted;

4.    That the proposed governance structure required to oversee delivery of the Joint Local Plan, including the management of resources and mitigation of associated risks, be noted; and

5.    That the a target submission date of no later than December 2026 for the submission of the Notice of Intention to commence preparation of the Joint Local Plan be endorsed.

[Councillor Alison Austin entered the meeting at 10.10am, during consideration of the above item.]