DECISION

1.    Approve the publication of the Regulation 18 – Tower Hamlets Draft Local Plan 2038: (Appendix 1 to the report) for formal consultation;

2.    Approve the publication of the Regulation 18 – Tower Hamlets Draft Local Plan 2038: Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) and other supplementary information, including draft evidence base studies (as Table 1) on the Council’s website, at the Town Hall and other locations in accordance with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement, alongside the Tower Hamlets Draft Local Plan 2038.

3.    Provide approval to make any amendments to the documents in advance of public consultation commencing. Any such amendments to be made through the delegated authority of the Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration in consultation with the Mayor.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, HOUSING AND REGENERATION (JENNIFER PETERS)

Head of Service for Strategic Planning (Marissa Ryan-Hernandez)

Plan Making Manager (Matthew Wong)

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding introduced the report that proposed a new Local Plan for consultation. Councillor Ahmed explained:

·         the demographic and geographic context for the plan, including stressing that the borough is the fastest-growing local authority in the country with the highest housing-building targets.

·         how the new Local Plan would assist in realising the economic, environmental, health and social objectives of the Council in building a vibrant and successful future for Tower Hamlets that benefits all residents, regardless of background or circumstances.

·         how early engagement with the community had informed the draft.

·         how the plan aligned with the Council’s strategic plan.

·         how the six-week public consultation would allow all stakeholders to have their say and provide feedback.

Councillor Ahmed offered thanks to all officers involved in the development of the draft plan.

Jennifer Peters, (Divisional Director, Planning and Building Control, Place)Marissa Ryan-Hernandez, (Plan Making Team Leader) and Matthew Wong, Plan Making Manager provided further detail.

The Mayor welcomed the report. He indicated he felt the previous planning policies did not allow the Council to reach its full ambition regarding regeneration, housebuilding and supply. He stressed he wanted the borough to be a regeneration-led authority, something he hoped would help to address wider social and structural concerns faced by residents. The limited opportunities for building meant the Council would consider building out, but also building up, helped in part by changes to tall building policies. Through this new approach, the Mayor explained he wished the borough to be as creative and ambitious as the City of London and delivering similar benefits for the people of the borough as had been delivered there.

Further to questions from Cabinet members, the Lead Member and officers provided further information on

·         Consultation methods and how the views of hard to reach communities, including younger residents would be encouraged, rather than listening only to the loudest or most articulate voices.

·         How the new plan proposed an increase in the minimum affordable housing provision from 35 to 40 per cent, split as 85 social rent and 15 intermediate, to help address overcrowding and delays in the housing waiting list.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1.    Approved the publication of the Regulation 18 – Tower Hamlets Draft Local Plan 2038: (Appendix 1 to the report) for formal consultation;

2.    Approved the publication of the Regulation 18 – Tower Hamlets Draft Local Plan 2038: Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) and other supplementary information, including draft evidence base studies (as Table 1) on the Council’s website, at the Town Hall and other locations in accordance with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement, alongside the Tower Hamlets Draft Local Plan 2038.

3.    Provided approval to make any amendments to the documents in advance of public consultation commencing. Any such amendments to be made through the delegated authority of the Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration in consultation with the Mayor.