This report seeks Cabinet’s agreement to submit a proposal to the Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM) to retain Unitary Development Plan (UDP) policies after 22 March 2010. The legislation requires that the proposed list of policies to be saved must be submitted to the Government Office for the West Midlands six months in advance i.e. by 22 September 2009. Under the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, UDP policies will cease to apply after this date unless the Secretary of State issues a direction extending their life.

THAT:

a)          Cabinet recommends to Council to approve those policies and proposals within the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan that the Council wish to be saved as set out in Appendix 1 and those not to be saved as set out in Appendix 2 beyond the expiry of the three-year saved period; and

b)          the Secretary of State’s agreement be sought to issue a direction to this effect.

To ensure that relevant UDP policies are saved beyond the existing plan period.

The alternative option is not to extend the UDP policies beyond the plan period.