Issue - meetings

Item PE 15/15 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board minutes of 8 September 2015

(Item PE 15/15 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board minutes of 8 September 2015)

Consideration of recommendations to the Cabinet from the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 8 September 2015.

The Cabinet  resolved that:

The recommendations of the Planning and TransportationAdvisory Board be approved as follows:

The contents of the report be noted and the revised Local Plan timetable, set out in Annex 2 to the report, be approved.

(Item PE 15/15 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board minutes of 8 September 2015)

Decision Notice D150082CAB

-        Appendix 1 (Map) circulated separately

The Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided an update on the important progress made towards the preparation of the Local Plan and specifically the initial outcome of the Call for Sites exercise, which closed on 1 September 2015.  A short presentation highlighting the key issues and setting the context for Members was also provided.

Proposed revisions to the timetable to reflect the next stages of the Local Plan preparation were also set out and included time to enable a full assessment of potential sites to inform options for the development strategy and land allocations in the Plan.   It was reported that due to the number and scale of sites being assessed the original timetable had been revised to allow sufficient time for evidence gathering and proper technical evaluation around suitability, affordability, deliverability and/or constraints.

It was emphasised that this was an important milestone in the preparation of the Local Plan and significant public interest was anticipated. 

Locations and outlines of all the submissions were set out in the Call for Sites map, attached as Annex 1 to the report.  It was noted that the map was for illustrative purposes only in order to inform and advise Members of the number, general scale and distribution of the sites coming forward for assessment.

On the basis of the revised timetable, set out in Annex 2 to the report, it was anticipated that the next meeting of the Advisory Board in November would receive a report scoping the future needs for development (the Issues) and setting out some alternative strategies and sites to address them (the Options).   It was therefore likely that the public consultation process would start in spring 2016.

Members asked questions and raised a number of issues including the duty to co-operate with neighbouring authorities, the importance of identifying the appropriate mix of employment and housing development land, ensuring adequate infrastructure to support local communities, amenity and green space and type of housing provision.   Officers responded and noted the comments expressed for consideration as part of the assessment process.

In addition, Members were advised that a list summarising the name of sites and the organisations submitting sites would be prepared for information shortly.

RECOMMENDED:  That the contents of the report be noted and the revised Local Plan timetable, set out in Annex 2 to the report, be approved by Cabinet.

*Referred to Cabinet