COUNCIL leaders have dismissed claims they are facing an “avalanche” of planning applications because new local plans have not been finalised.

According to the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), all North-East councils missed the deadline to complete their local plans, which set out planning policy and indicate which areas should be developed.

NECC claims this could prompt a deluge of applications from developers trying to take advantage of the situation.

Without a completed local plan in place, authorities would have to assess applications against the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which has introduced a presumption in favour of development.

NECC planning policy advisor, Amy Michie, said: “While this is not necessarily bad news for developers, a lack of plans causes uncertainty for investors who feel comfortable knowing potential projects fit into local economic growth plans.

“The flip side of this is that developers are readying numerous planning applications that will probably gain approval under the new guidelines, despite them not fitting into draft local plans currently being devised.”

But John Hiles, planning policy officer at Richmondshire District Council, said NECC’s talk of a 12-month deadline for the submission of local plans was “melodramatic”.

He added: “I don’t feel, certainly from our discussions with developers, that this predicted avalanche is likely to happen.”

Councillor Mike Smith, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, was also critical of the NECC’s statement.

He said: “There are lots of authorities in the North-East with adopted plans and as long as the authorities’ adopted plan - whether it be an old style core strategy or new style local plan - is in accordance with NPPF, then it is up to date and counts.”