Councillor Stephens (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport), supported by Rebecca Miller (City Planning Manager), Jonathan Bell (Head of Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development), introduced the item and highlighted:

a)    Since 2019 there had been an adopted joint local plan with South Hams and West Devon which had been effective but key elements were now out of date due to changes to the national planning policy framework and the new standard method for housing need;

b)    The previous government and the current government had continued reform to the national planning system, but not all parts were yet in place to formally start a new local plan process;

c)    Work had begun to identify what should be in scope of the new plan and what the key issues were that needed to be addressed;

d)    A Local Development Scheme (LDS) was approved setting out a provisional timetable for a 30-month plan production period plus a four-month scoping period subject to local plan regulations being published;

e)    The aim was to start the four-month scoping stage in January 2026;

f)     Plymouth had significant opportunities with over £4.4 billion of planned investment in the defence industry, Team Plymouth work streams, investment in the Freeport, being shortlisted as a potential new town and partnership working with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Homes England;

g)    Major challenges included meeting the governments standard method for housing which had doubled the annual requirement, the challenge would be balancing growth with preserving the unique environment and meeting needs of the population;

h)    Early involvement from the scrutiny panel and ward members was important for launching the new local plan process;

i)     The current joint local plan would be replaced by separate plans for Plymouth and for South Hams and West Devon, but the existing joint plan would remain in place until the new plans were adopted;

j)     National planning reforms including the new local plan regulations and spatial development strategies were still awaited and were needed before Plymouth could formally start the new plan;

k)    The duty to cooperate had been cancelled but the requirement remained to work with neighbouring authorities for proper strategic planning;

l)     The plan would have to address the standard method for housing as housing delivery had only met the required level twice in recent years;

m)  The plan must support the economic strategy including land for marine employment and strategic connectivity;

n)    Plymouth was a regional city, and the plan must support the city centre and major facilities and ensure good connectivity with the surrounding areas and natural environment;

o)    Transformational change in the city centre was expected to be a major topic for the next plan;

p)    The plan had to consider how Plymouth became more accessible and well connected and how local communities had what they needed close to their homes, including access to nature;

q)    Climate resilience and reducing carbon emissions in line with the climate emergency declaration would be a major challenge;

r)    Planning for infrastructure to support sustainable growth would require updating the infrastructure needs assessment and the infrastructure delivery plan.

In response to questions, supported by Paul Barnard (Service Director, Strategic Planning and Infrastructure), the following was discussed:

s)     Recent housing delivery had fallen sharply, the new requirement of 1280 dwellings per year was a major challenge, and meeting it would require intensification, use of more sites, and a clear growth strategy supported by infrastructure;

t)     In response to concerns about reliance on Homes England, it was confirmed that Homes England was an important partner but development would have to use existing allocated sites and be managed carefully to avoid harming the city centre;

u)    In response to concerns about public resistance to city centre change, it was noted that new homes would offer choice, could benefit the economy, and had to be delivered in a way that reflected Plymouth’s character;

                      i.        Examples of successful regeneration were noted in other cities, and that Plymouth could learn from them but had to retain an approach that was specific to its own identity;

                     ii.        The average number of homes in city centres across the country was 8,000, but in Plymouth this was just 800;

                    iii.        City centre development would included homes of all kinds to suit various demographics;

v)    In reference to the impact of local government reorganisation (LGR), officers stated government expected planning work to continue and that early evidence gathering could proceed while awaiting clarity on boundaries and responsibilities;

w)   There would be structured engagement at ward and strategic levels, and neighbourhood network style approaches could support meaningful community input;

x)    Many UK cities had sought public realm improvements and improved cultural offers to attract more people into city centres;

y)    Ideas and evidence from existing neighbourhood plans would be reviewed and used where relevant;

z)    The Panel discussed concerns about affordability for under 35s and the availability of HMOs. Existing policies would be reviewed and that wider housing needs would inform future policy;

aa)  In relation to the concern about protection of Central Park, it was confirmed that existing policy protections remained active, and the new plan offered an opportunity to strengthen them further;

bb) The Panel discussed the nighttime economy and city centre living, noting the need for sustainable transport and improved connectivity to support future growth;

cc)  Design codes would play a major role in ensuring good quality development, helping to shape architecture, materials and place making, including through clearer visual guidance.

The Panel agreed:

1. To note the update on the potential scope and timetable for the next Plymouth Local Plan.