Public Participation
To consider questions (if any) by members of the public of which the appropriate notice has been given to the Solicitor to the Council.
Decision:
Questions were received from Lee Royal, Christine Mabley and Anne Lyne.
Full details can be found in the minutes.
Minutes:
Two questions submitted by Lee Royal on behalf of West Hemel Action Group (WHAG).
Question A:
With hands on hearts can councillors, when voting for the adoption of the Site Allocations, genuinely declare that they believe that the overwhelming feedback from the residents who vote for them, challenging many aspects of particularly LA3, during public consultations, has been fairly and impartially considered, given that other than for LA5, no key changes have been made as a result of public feedback from the consultations, particularly for the residents of West Hemel who are affected by far by the biggest & most negatively impacting allocation of LA3?
Response from Councillor Graham Sutton, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration:
Yes. The process for altering the Green Belt is through the development plan preparation process and the Council has followed all necessary steps set out in legislation. If full Council approve adoption of the Site Allocations DPD tonight, the land will be formally released from the Green Belt.
The developer will need to ensure that they too are complying with national and local policy requirements as part of the forthcoming planning application process.
Question B:
Given that through public consultations on the Core Strategy before and the Site Allocations and Master Plan since, have described the location of the G&T site in LA3 as “potential” & “indicative”, can DBC please explain what process is in place to review the location and timing of the Gypsy & Traveller Site within LA3 to ensure that it is not built on a site in isolation from the rest of the development for potentially many years in advance of any new housebuilding in the same area of LA3, leaving the G&T site in contravention of national policy for G&T sites? It should be noted that even prior to any planning application, developers are positioning the G&T site & standing firm on it, in the location that will leave it in contravention of national policy based upon their phased planning for LA3.
Response from Councillor Graham Sutton, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration:
The matter of LA3 has been given very great consideration by the Council since the Core Strategy was prepared – key dates are:
o Independently run workshops with stakeholders on LA3 to discuss the masterplan (May 2013).
o Consultation on draft masterplan (September 2013)
o Consultation on Pre-Submission (draft) Site Allocations (Sept 2014)
The Borough has an evidential need for new housing, and as a result, some release of land from the Green Belt was needed – LA3 is an important part of this
Consultation on the SA DPD took place in September / October 2014 for a period of 6 weeks; publicity was given in the press, Dacorum Digest (which is delivered to every home in the Borough) and the Council’s website. There was also an exhibition at Warner’s End Community Centre. WHAG have actively engaged with the process, and together with their response, a further 119 residents’ individuals and organisations responded also.
All these ... view the full minutes text for item 10