Can Mole Valley un-pause its new Local Plan?
On 19th December, the Government eventually released a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which sets the framework for creating a new Local Plan.
As expected, the new NPPF includes the policy changes announced over a year ago which reduce the obligation on local Councils to set aside Green Belt land to meet centrally-set housing targets. These were expected to be implemented last Spring but have been continually delayed. As a result, the Inspector examining Mole Valley’s draft Local Plan had agreed to put the examination on pause awaiting the new NPPF.
However, even after consulting on its changes, the Government added a last-minute sting-in-the-tail which apparently forces those Councils who had already made good progress with their plan-making to stick by the previous rules.
Chris Coghlan, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Dorking & Horley (which includes most of the Mole Valley District) says:
“The delay in updating the regulations was bad enough and was a significant factor leading an Appeals Inspector to grant the Sondes Farm development in Dorking against the wishes of local people and the local Council.
“Now the last-minute change means that Mole Valley – and other Councils who have paused their emerging Local Plans – may have to stick to rules that are regarded as obsolete elsewhere.
“This inconsistency is what we have come to expect from a Government which is on its 16th Housing Minister since 2010.”
Mole Valley District Council is expected to announce how it will proceed in the New Year.