Lewes council pauses Local Plan work over planning policy changes

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 06:04 · Archive

Lewes District Council has paused work on its Local Plan following government changes to planning policy and a review of local government reorganisation proposals.

Lewes District Council has paused work on its key planning document following government policy changes and a review of local government reorganisation proposals affecting the district.

The decision follows the Government's introduction of a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and a review of previously announced local government reorganisation proposals. Councillor Laurence O'Connor, Cabinet member for planning and infrastructure, said the council had been 'placed in an extremely difficult and invidious position' by the government. 'We were asked to plan for one set of administrative boundaries following July's local government reorganisation announcement, only for that proposal to be turned on its head,' he said.

The council said these changes have created significant uncertainty around future planning boundaries, housing requirements and infrastructure planning. The temporary pause will give officers time to undertake a focused review of government changes to national planning policy and seek urgent clarification from Whitehall on the future of local government reorganisation. Officers will continue to gather evidence, engage with the government, and prepare an interim framework to help guide development and infrastructure decisions in the meantime.

How it is being reported

• Lewes council pauses Local Plan amid policy changesLewes District Council has paused work on its key planning document amid major policy changes and uncertainty.The Argus · 14 Oct, 05:00
• Lewes District Council ‘pauses’ Local Plan work after government announces review of LGR proposals and changes to planning policyLewes District Council (LDC) says it has put a ‘temporary pause’ on work to prepare its Local Plan.Chichester Observer · 12 Oct, 15:18

In this story: Lewes District Council · Laurence O'Connor · Lewes

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