Agenda item

To adopt the Somerset BNG Guidance Note as a material planning consideration.

Resolved that the Planning and Transport Policy Sub-Committee agreed the following:

a)    To adopt the Somerset BNG Guidance Note as a material planning consideration in the preparation of pre-application advice, assessing planning applications and any other development management purposes.

b)    To delegate approval of future updates to the Guidance Note as follows:

                        i.         Minor amendments including textual and visual changes and enhancements to be delegated to the Executive Director for Climate and Place in consultation with the Lead Member for Environment and Climate Change and the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets.

                       ii.         Updates relating to changes in national Government legislation and guidance, or the need to reference or update reference to other local or national evidence or strategy documents, or other changes which would not necessitate further public consultation to be delegated to the Executive Director for Climate and Place in consultation with the Lead Member for Environment and Climate Change and the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets.

                     iii.         More significant or substantive updates beyond those listed above to be brought back to this sub-committee for approval.

c)     To adopt the local BNG validation requirements as an addendum to existing adopted local validation checklists for each of the Local Planning Authority’s planning areas and functions (north, south, east, west and minerals and waste) until such time as these are updated and the requirements can be fully integrated.