The Core Strategy sets out the scale, location and timing of future development and identifies the supporting physical, social and environmental infrastructure that will be required, particularly around the provision of new homes [see earlier story on the Core Strategy].

The Core Strategy was submitted to the Secretary of State for examination in April 2010 but it was withdrawn in May 2010 because the Planning Inspector raised concerns about the deliverability of the housing figures included in the document.

The situation wasn’t helped by the publication of a letter by Eric Pickles on 27 May 2010, indicating his intention to abolish regional housing targets. Despite being successfully challenged in Court by Cala Homes [see earlier story], this principle was included in the draft Localism Bill which was published last December.

In July, Council agreed to withdraw the Core Strategy to allow it to be updated and amended in the light of proposed changes to national legislation and guidance (Localism Bill and National Planning Policy Framework), public sector savings and completion of an updated housing capacity study (Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment).

The intention for the City Wide Plan is for it to have greater scope to tackle the issues facing the city than the previously submitted Core Strategy.

In October and November 2011 there will be a formal consultation on four specific policy areas which have been subject to significant change from the original Core Strategy

• Housing targets and the housing delivery strategy
• Transport policy
• Employment policy
• Student housing policy

In March and April 2012 it is proposed there will be a wider, general consultation on the entire City Wide Plan/Core Strategy including changes arising from the options consultation and all other amendments prior to submission to the Planning Inspectorate in mid 2012 and formal adoption in late 2012.

The consultation and adoption of the Core Strategy is important because those local authorities without an adopted Core Strategy could be disadvantaged by the presumption to agree planning consent contained in the new National Planning Policy Framework [NPPF] [see earlier story].