Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Subject: City Plan Update
Date of meeting: 16th July 2025
Report of: Chair of Place Overview & Scrutiny
Contact Officer: Name: Corporate Director- Operations
Ward(s) affected: (All Wards);
Key Decision: No
1.1 At the October meeting of Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee, members approved the recommendation to keep the City Plan review on the work plan for future opportunities to scrutinise the work as it progresses. This report will update the committee on the initial consultation that was held from November 2024 – January 2025 on the new City Plan, along with the next steps in the process. Before the new city plan can be adopted it must go through several stages of engagement in accordance with statutory requirements and regulations.
2.1 That Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee notes the work that has been done to date on the City Plan review.
3.1 The current City Plan sets out a framework of planning policies to guide future development in the city to 2030. It identifies how much new housing and commercial space will be needed to help meet the needs of the city’s residents and businesses.
3.2 This document refers to City Plan Part One that was adopted in 2016 and now needs updating. City Plan Part Two was adopted in 2022 and there will be a review of any policies that are considered outdated or no longer compliant with more recent national guidance. The current City Plan Part One sets out the Council’s overall approach and the amount of new development required across the city to 2030. It sets out the broad locations and Development Areas where significant development will take place and includes strategic site allocations and key city wide policies to guide development. The new City Plan Part One will guide future development in the city to 2041 and needs to be prepared in consultation with statutory consultees, the local community and other interested parties.
3.3 The Key Issues consultation is the first stage of public engagement, which
took place from November 2024 – January 2025 looking at topic areas such as “Homes for Everyone”, “Culture and Tourism” and “Biodiversity”. There were 531 responses to the survey, 33 events were held, 6 workshops took place in schools and 200 young people completed a separate youth survey. The proportion of responses from minority groups was broadly in line with Census 2021.
3.4 Appendix 1 contains further details on the consultation, lessons learned, key
outcomes and the next steps. There will be further consultations on the development of the City Plan with draft policies scheduled for consultation in the summer of 2026. The final City Plan is scheduled to be adopted in 2028 following an Examination in Public. Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee may wish to consider and comment upon the ongoing development of City Plan at appropriate stages in the process.
4.1 There is not an alternative option as there is a statutory requirement to keep the City Plan under review. The Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee is invited to note the update report.
5.1 None specifically for this report as it is for noting, but it should be noted that there will be subsequent consultations on the new City Plan as it develops. The initial consultation was on ‘topic areas’ and the feedback will inform the development of the draft City Plan policies and site allocations and Appendix 1 contains the details of the initial consultation. There will be a further round of consultation and engagement once the draft Plan has been prepared. It is anticipated that the proposed submission plan will go to consultation in Autumn 2027.
6.1 There are no direct financial implications arising from the recommendations
of this report as it is for noting. The cost of officer time, document production and consultation associated with City Plan will be funded from existing revenue budget within the Planning service.
Name of finance officer consulted: John Lack Date consulted: 03/07/25
7.1 There are no direct legal implications arising from this report because it is for noting. It is worth noting that the Council is under a statutory duty to keep its local plan under review. If the Council considers that a review is required it must commence the plan making process. This includes notifying relevant bodies and stakeholders and inviting representations on what the updated local plan should contain. Further public consultation will be required when there is a proposed updated draft plan.
Name of lawyer consulted: Katie Kam Date consulted: 01/07/25
8.1 The new City Plan will help deliver equalities outcomes from new development. A Health and Equalities Impact Assessment (HEQIA) will be carried out on draft policies to ensure that they are coordinated to address equalities, and health and well-being outcomes throughout the city.
8.2 Lessons learnt from this initial round of consultation will help to inform and plan different ways to engage with underrepresented groups in future consultations to ensure everyone has a chance to input.
9.1 The City Plan is required to be accompanied by a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) which promotes sustainable development.
9.2 A key outcome of the initial consultation showed strong support for high sustainability levels or green infrastructure in the city, which needs to be considered.
10. Health and Wellbeing Implications:
10.1 A Health and Equalities Impact Assessment (HEQIA) will be carried out on
draft policies to ensure that they are coordinated to address equalities, and health and well-being outcomes throughout the city.
11.1 The Place Overview & Scrutiny is asked to note the work that has been
done to date on the City Plan review.
Supporting Documentation
1. City Plan engagement feedback presentation