Agenda item

This report advises Members that the Government is placing much more importance on the quality of the design and appearance of new development. It also reminds Members that one of the key areas identified as part of the review of the Derbyshire Dales Local Plan was a need for the strengthening of policies relating to design.

The report seeks Members approval for the appointment of consultants to undertake a review of the design policies in the Local Plan and to provide advice to the District Council on the most suitable approach to the introduction of a Derbyshire Dales Design Code. Approval is sought from Members for a specification for this works (See Appendix 1); such that appropriately qualified and experienced consultants can be appointed to undertake this commission.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer introduced a report advising Members that the Government is placing much more importance on the quality of the design and appearance of new development and reminding Members one of the key areas identified as part of the review of the Derbyshire Dales Local Plan was a need for the strengthening of policies relating to design.  The report sought Members approval for the appointment of appropriately qualified and experienced consultants to undertake a review of the design policies in the Local Plan and to provide advice to the District Council on the most suitable approach to the introduction of a Derbyshire Dales Design Code.  The contents of a detailed specification and brief for consultancy services was set out in Item 6, Appendix 1 of the agendafor Members consideration and approval.

The review of the Derbyshire Dales Local Plan identified the design policy element required revision to ensure it is compliant with the National Planning Policy Framework. Furthermore, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will make it mandatory for all local planning authorities to produce a Design Code for its area. These codes will have full weight in making decisions on development, either through forming part of local plans or being prepared as a supplementary plan. A Design Code will include measures to seek to mitigate and adapt to the effects of Climate Change and be subject to a Climate Change Impact Assessment, Landscape Character and Design, Heritage and Conservation areas.

The Design Policy Review, as per the specification will provide options and recommendations as to how policies in the Derbyshire Dales Local Plan should be revised to address the requirement to prepare a Design Code and necessary policy revisions within the Plan. These options will be presented to future meetings of the Local Plan Sub Committee to determine the appropriate policy approach to design that could be adopted in the revised Derbyshire Dales Local Plan.

The commissioning of consultants to undertake a Design Policy review for the Derbyshire Dales Local Plan will require additional financial resources the estimated cost being £30,000.  A request for a Supplementary Revenue Budget for the Derbyshire Dales Design Policy Review commission is due to be considered at the meeting of Council on 28th September 2023.  If approved, the expenditure will be financed from the Local Plan Reserve.

It was moved by Councillor Matthew Buckler, Seconded by Councillor Gareth Gee and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.    That the Brief for Consultancy Services on the Derbyshire Dales Local Plan – Design Policy Review as set out in Appendix 1 be approved and circulated to consultants to obtain quotations.

2.    That consultants be commissioned, in accordance with the District Council’s procurement procedures, to prepare advice to the District Council as Local Planning Authority on the design policies and proposals of the Derbyshire Dales Local Plan, including Design Codes as part of the ongoing review of the Derbyshire Dales Local Plan.

3.    That the results of the commission be reported to future meetings of the Local Plan Sub Committee for approval and incorporation in the revised Derbyshire Dales Local Plan.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

7.15 pm Councillor Hobson left the meeting.