Agenda item

To consider the Forward Work Plan for the strategic planning sub-committee.

To agree on the Forward Work Plan.

The report was submitted by the Deputy Monitoring Officer.

RESOLVED

To agree on the Forward Work Plan.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

The Forward Work Plan sets out a calendar of meetings for the period up to December 2025 and aligns with the dates of the CJC meetings and the current timetable adopted to produce a Delivery Agreement and the initial planning stages.

DISCUSSION

It was noted that members would, in due course, be canvassed for potential future Sub-Committee meeting dates. It was explained that as the programme developed, the forward work programme would be led by the Chair and members, in line with the responsibilities of the Sub-Committee.

It was questioned whether items within the forward work programme would be determined by the members of the Sub-Committee. Concern was expressed regarding the topic of housing, particularly in relation to the relationship between future housing market growth and the application of Article 4 in Cyngor Gwynedd and Eryri National Park. It was expressed that there was a desire to discuss this topic as soon as possible due to the pressing nature of the issue.

In response, it was noted that the plan remained at a preliminary stage. It was agreed that decisions regarding where and how much growth should take place were central to the development of the Strategic Development Plan. It was emphasised that such growth must be strategic in nature, targeting specific areas for appropriate development.

It was expressed that concern existed over the potential consequences of Eryri National Park’s adoption of Article 4, specifically that it may increase pressure on Conwy Council and Isle of Anglesey County Council to permit the development of new summer houses. It was noted that this could have a detrimental impact on the local economy and schools, and may contribute to the displacement of the local population.

It was questioned when members would have sight of the draft Delivery Agreement for the SDP. It was further questioned whether local authorities were designated as key consultees. In response, it was noted that the Delivery Agreement was currently in its first draft stage and that significant progress had been made to reach this point. It was noted that informal consultation had commenced during the past week, following the requirement for the Welsh Government to review the plan initially. It was further noted that the document would soon be circulated to each of the local planning authorities, as well as directly to Sub-Committee members and policy officers within each respective Council. It was confirmed that Local Authorities are key consultees, and that collaboration would be essential in the successful production of the SDP.

It was expressed that a document outlining the relationship between SDPs and Local Development Plans (LDPs) would be of value to members, in particular to help clarify their synergy and any legal implications arising between the two. In response, it was noted that this was a helpful recommendation and would be prioritised going forward, with electronic documentation to be circulated with the aim of informing a future agenda item for discussion.

It was questioned whether the stated five-year timeframe for producing the SDP was realistic. In response, it was noted that this was the estimated timeframe included in the guidance by Welsh Government.