The Group Manager Development sought approval to undertake targeted consultation on the draft Bridgend LDP Review.  He stated that draft Review Report sets out the proposed extent of likely changes to the existing LDP (2006-2021) and seeks to confirm the revision procedure to be followed in preparing a replacement LDP.  He informed Council that it was proposed that the Replacement LDP will cover a plan period up to 2033, which is the end of a 15 year plan period that will commence in 2018. 

He reported that the LDP was adopted by Council on 18 September 2013 and sets out the Council’s objectives for the development and use of land in Bridgend County Borough over the 15 year plan period 2006 to 2021, and its policies to implement them.  He stated that an up to date LDP is an essential part of a plan-led planning system in Wales.  In order to ensure that there is a regular and comprehensive assessment of whether plans remain up to date, the Council is statutorily required to undertake a full review of the adopted LDP at intervals not longer than every 4 years from the date of adoption.  As such, a full review of the adopted LDP was triggered in September 2017.  Since its adoption, the LDP has been reviewed on an annual basis with the publication of 3 Annual Monitoring Reports. 

The Group Manager Development reported that any revision to an LDP must be preceded by a Review Report to determine the appropriate procedural route and key issues to be considered when taking the LDP forward.  He stated that the Review Report also considers whether the process of producing a replacement LDP should be undertaken on an individual basis or jointly with neighbouring Local Planning Authorities.  He highlighted the main findings of the draft Review Report in terms of Contextual Changes; Assessment of likely changes required to the current LDP; Review of the Evidence Base and LDP Review Options.

A member of Council questioned what mechanisms would be in place for Members to be actively involved in the consultation on the LDP.  The Development Planning Manager stated that Topic Groups will be set up and local Members and members of Town and Community Councils will be invited to participate in this process at the review stage. 

A member of Council referred to the decision of Council to pursue its own plan and questioned whether joint working would take place with neighboring authorities such as RCT Council, in view of proposals for a large scale housing development within RCT which is in close proximity to its boundary with Bridgend.  The Group Manager Development confirmed there are joint working arrangements with neighbouring local authorities especially when planning applications raise cross boundary issues.  He stated that RCT Council’s LDP would expire at around the same time as this Council’s LDP.  He also stated that the impact of the proposed large scale development on Bridgend will be looked at by officers.

A member of Council asked whether the affordable housing policy could be reviewed.  A member of Council referred to town centre vacancy rates and asked whether consideration could be given to Pencoed being included in line with the other towns in the County Borough.  The Development Planning Manager commented that the affordable housing policy and town centre vacancy rates would need to be looked at in depth in the context of the new LDP. 

A member of Council referred to the need for officers to have regard to the impact new housing developments will have on meeting the demand for school places.  The Development Planning Manager confirmed that officers from the Education Department will be part of the Working Group and the impact of housing development on education and other Council services will be looked at.

RESOLVED:              (1) That Council approved the draft Review Report for the purposes of targeted consultation.

(2)  That Council authorised the Group Manager Development, Communities Directorate to undertake consultation on the draft Review Report.

(3)  That Council gave delegated authority to the Group Manager Development, Communities Directorate to make any factual corrections or minor amendments to the draft Review Report as considered necessary.