Decision details

(The report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report summarised the main changes between the Regulation 18 and 19 versions of the Local Plan and set out a proposed response for endorsement.

Members expressed concerns on a number of matters including the significant impacts related to increased volumes of traffic; lack of infrastructure to support health care and education; insufficient assessment of visual, ecological and biodiversity impacts; and an increased risk of flooding and did not feel that the mitigation measures proposed by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council adequately offset the scale of development in this location.

In addition, Members considered it important that the Statement of Common Ground identified areas of difference as well as areas of co-operation.

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:

(1)         the contents of the report be noted;

(2)         the proposed response to the Regulation 19 consultation, attached at Annex 3 to the report, be revised to reflect the strong concerns expressed by Members (as summarised above).  Final changes to the response to be delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health and agreed in consultation with the portfolio holder; and

(3)         a proposed Statement of Common Ground be presented to the next meeting of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board to be held on 29 June 2021 for final consideration.