Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet: -

1.    Approves a public consultation on the draft Local Validation List at Appendix One.

2.    Delegate approval of the updated Local Validation List for planning applications, following consultation, to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy unless there are substantive changes required.

3.    Delegate the approval of all future iterations of the policy including the necessity for public consultation to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy.

Consideration was given to the report which sought Cabinet approval to undertake public consultation on the draft Local Validation List. Rotherham’s Local Validation List provided a framework of requirements for the supporting documents that were required to accompany planning applications. The Local Validation List provided additional detail and guidance to support applicants on what level of supporting information was required for all application types. Once adopted, it would be used to determine whether planning applications were valid. It was key to ensuring that sufficient information was submitted to enable applications to be determined effectively and efficiently in line with Statutory deadlines on which Local Planning Authorities were measured.

The current List now out of date, as it was last reviewed in 2019 and the National Planning Policy Framework required Local Validation Lists to be kept up-to-date through a review every 2 years. The shift of focus during Covid to enable continuation of work through digital platforms both during and immediately after that period resulted in delays in updating the Local Validation List due to the level of work required to overhaul the document. There had also been a significant number of amendments to Regulations in the Planning forum which had led to uncertainty about the direction in relation to requirements for validation of planning applications which had also contributed to the delay in updating the Council’s Local List.

The Council was required to undertake public consultation on the local list and to take account of any comments received in preparing the final document. Once adopted by the Council the requirements set out in the Validation List could be required to validate a planning application. Subject to approval by Cabinet, it was proposed to undertake public consultation over a 4 week period during October 2025. Following consultation, any comments received would be considered in producing a final version of the Local Validation List and a consultation feedback report produced detailing the main issues raised and how these had been addressed. Approval of the updated Local Validation List would then be delegated to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve a public consultation on the draft Local Validation List at Appendix One.

2.    Delegate approval of the updated Local Validation List for planning applications, following consultation, to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy unless there are substantive changes required.

3.    Delegate the approval of all future iterations of the policy including the necessity for public consultation to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy.