Agenda item

Committee is asked to:

1.     Approve the commencement of the Immediate Review of the Spelthorne Local Plan, in accordance with Policy ST3 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026,

2.     Approve publication of the Local Plan Immediate Review Timetable (Appendix A), in accordance with the requirements of the new plan-making system,

3.     Approve publication of the statutory Notice of Intention to Commence Plan-making (Appendix B) to formally commence plan-making and meet the Government’s Local Plan Implementation Funding requirements,

4.     Approve the undertaking of a statutory Scoping Consultation (Appendix C) in accordance with Regulation 20 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026,

5.     Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, to make any necessary updates to the Local Plan timetable as required by the new regulations (monthly review), and any minor amendments to the Scoping Consultation and as required by the new regulations to self-publish the required Gateway 1 documentation,

6.     Note that decisions 1-4 fulfil the requirement of the Inspector’s Report (Appendix D) which requires a review of the Local Plan immediately and an updated or replacement plan to be submitted for examination no later than two years from the date of adoption of the Local Plan. Also note that decisions 1-4 fulfil the requirement of the letter from MHCLG dated 15 January 2026 (Appendix E),

7.     Note the implications of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and the importance of progressing the Immediate Review at pace to ensure continuity through the transition to the West Surrey Authority,

8.     Agree to reconvene a Local Plan Tast Group and agree the composition of the Local Plan Task Group Membership and Terms of Reference (Appendix F); and

9.     Delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of this Committee to agree the names of those ward members on the Local Plan Task Group.

The Committee resolved to:

1.     Approve the commencement of the Immediate Review of the Spelthorne Local Plan, in accordance with Policy ST3 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026

2.     Approve publication of the Local Plan Immediate Review Timetable, in accordance with the requirements of the new plan-making system.

3.     Approve publication of the statutory Notice of Intention to Commence Plan-Making to formally commence plan-making and meet the Government’s Local Plan Implementation Funding requirements.

4.     Approve the undertaking of a statutory Scoping Consultation in accordance with Regulation 20 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

5.     Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, to make any necessary updates to the Local Plan timetable as required by the new regulations (monthly review), any minor amendments to the Scoping Consultation and as required by the new regulations to self-publish the required Gateway 1 documentation.

6.     Note that decisions 1-4 fulfil the requirement of the Inspector’s Report which requires a review of the Local Plan immediately and an updated or replacement plan to be submitted for examination no later than two years from the date of adoption of the Local Plan, and note that decisions 1-4 fulfil the requirement of the letter from MHCLG dated 15 January 2026.

7.     Note the implications of Local Government Reorganisation and the importance of progressing the Immediate review at pace to ensure continuity through the transition to the West Surrey Authority.

8.     Agree to reconvene a Local Plan Task Group and agree the composition of the Local Plan Task Group, Membership and Terms of Reference, and review proportionality.

9.     Delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of this Committee to agree the names of those ward members on the Local Plan Task Group.

Councillor Saliagopoulos left the meeting 20:02.

The Committee considered approval of commencement of the immediate review of the Spelthorne Local Plan. Following approval of the Local Plan in March 2026, the Planning Inspector required the Council to undertake an immediate review of the Local Plan and submit this within two years of its adoption. This would ensure continued plan soundness, and enable a re-assessment of long-term housing needs and key evidence within the borough. Commencing an Immediate Review would also ensure the process was sufficiently advanced ahead of Local Government Reorganisation and would maintain continuity and minimise disruption during the transition to the West Surrey authority. A number of other Councils within the West Surrey Council footprint were also undergoing the immediate review process.

Financial support had been provided to assist with the accelerated plan. If the process was delayed, the Council would be required to refund the financial support and there was a risk the local authority could be subject to a planning intervention.

The Committee noted the composition of the Local Plan Task Group, and suggested this proportionally reflect the political make-up of the Council. Some members of the Committee suggested that those members who were also West Surrey Shadow Councillors should be given preference for membership on the task group. The Committee were re-assured that the Local Plan Task Group would not make decisions, but would make recommendations to the parent committee.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Approve the commencement of the Immediate Review of the Spelthorne Local Plan, in accordance with Policy ST3 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026

2.    Approve publication of the Local Plan Immediate Review Timetable, in accordance with the requirements of the new plan-making system.

3.    Approve publication of the statutory Notice of Intention to Commence Plan-Making to formally commence plan-making and meet the Government’s Local Plan Implementation Funding requirements.

4.    Approve the undertaking of a statutory Scoping Consultation in accordance with Regulation 20 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

5.    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, to make any necessary updates to the Local Plan timetable as required by the new regulations (monthly review), any minor amendments to the Scoping Consultation and as required by the new regulations to self-publish the required Gateway 1 documentation.

6.    Note that decisions 1-4 fulfil the requirement of the Inspector’s Report which requires a review of the Local Plan immediately and an updated or replacement plan to be submitted for examination no later than two years from the date of adoption of the Local Plan, and note that decisions 1-4 fulfil the requirement of the letter from MHCLG dated 15 January 2026.

7.    Note the implications of Local Government Reorganisation and the importance of progressing the Immediate review at pace to ensure continuity through the transition to the West Surrey Authority.

8.    Agree to reconvene a Local Plan Task Group and agree the composition of the Local Plan Task Group, Membership and Terms of Reference, subject to overall proportionality.

9.    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of this Committee to agree the names of those ward members on the Local Plan Task Group.