On the 20th December 2023, the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee agreed to commence the mandatory five year review of the Local Plan. The existing Evidence Base will need to be updated to inform the review of the Local Plan, to ensure the strategies and policies within it are sound and legally compliant when examined by a Planning Inspector.

To begin commissioning technical studies, reports and other evidence base documents associated with the agreed Local Plan review, including, but not limited to:

•Housing need and mix (including SMHA)
•Economic growth and tourism (including employment land, holiday park sector, retail)
•Heritage
•Natural environment (including habitats regulations assessment, ecology, landscape)
•Infrastructure delivery (including transport, water cycle study, infrastructure delivery plan)
•Viability
•Sustainability Appraisal

Option 1 - Begin procurement of technical studies, reports and other evidence base studies to support the preparation and examination of the updated Local Plan.
Option 2 - Do nothing. Not preparing appropriate evidence to inform the Local Plan’s updated policies will increase the risk that they are not fit for purpose, and that the Plan is found not to be sound when examined by a Government Inspector.