South Holland and Boston councils will join forces to create the next Local Plan for both areas with work starting later this year.
The government announced a raft of changes to the planning process earlier this year, including adopting a ‘digital first’ principle.
The two councils need to tell the government that the partnership is starting work by no later than the end of this year as the new timetables are ‘demanding’ says a report due to go before the South East Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee yesterday. (Wednesday)
“The mandatory timetable to deliver a new local plan is challenging and work must start immediately to ensure the two councils are able to meet their obligations in delivering a new Joint Local Plan for their communities,” the report says.
Failure to have a Local Plan could see unregulated development across areas in both districts. The plan establishes how land will be used and developed, setting our priorities for housing, employment infrastructure, design and environmental standards.”
East Lindsey, the other member of the South East Lincolnshire Partnership, will create its own as the coastal district has specific challenges relating to flooding that need a specific focus.
“To meet the rigorous 30-month statutory timeframe mandated by the government, governance must be robust, open to scrutiny and follow programme management best practice principles,” members were told.
“A significant start has been made in relation to being ready for the end of the year when we must have submitted our Notice of Intention to commence work.”
Alongside the Local Plan, the Greater Lincolnshire Councils Combined Authority is also working on a Spatial Development Strategy.
Both Boston and South Holland will be issuing a call for sites to be concluded by September while the vision and strategy will be out for public consultation from July next year until September.
The deadline for submission of the plan and supporting documents is February 2028 with the plan finally being adopted in October 2029.
“A multi-channel approach to engagement will be developed”, the report added.
