Issue - meetings

1.               That issues arising from comments received to the draft master plans and the impact of new advice be noted;

2.               That the responses set out in Table 3 of the Consultation Report for the draft master plans and the proposed changes arising, as shown in the track change master plans attached to this report, are agreed;

3.               That authority is delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, to approve any further wording changes to the draft master plans prior to submission.

1.               That issues arising from comments received to the draft master plans and the impact of new advice be noted;

2.               That the responses set out in Table 3 of the Consultation Report for the draft master plans and the proposed changes arising, as shown in the track change master plans attached to this report, are agreed;

3.               That authority is delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, to approve any further wording changes to the draft master plans prior to submission.

Reason for Decision

1.     Consider the issues raised through consultation on the draft master plans in late 2014;

2.     Agree changes proposed to draft master plans arising from the consultation; and

3.     Agree the process for submitting the draft master plans as supporting documents to the Site Allocations DPD when it is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

Implications

Financial

Having adopted master plans for the development of the Local Allocations will help reduce the incidence of planning appeals (and hence costs associated with these).  It will be the most effective way of ensuring the planning application stage is smooth, and will speed up the decision making process.  It will also ensure optimum level of developer contributions to infrastructure and in mitigation of development impacts can be achieved. 

Value for money

Where possible, technical work that supports the master plans has been undertaken by landowners to ensure value for money.  The costs associated with the preparation of the master plans have also been shared where possible.

Legal

Although the master plans do not form part of the Site Allocations DPD, they are Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPGs) that will support delivery of key policies within this DPD.  Attwaters Jameson and Hill Solicitors have been retained to provide external legal support for the Site Allocations.  The same advisers acted for the Council through the Core Strategy Examination process and subsequent (unsuccessful) legal challenge to this document.   They will support the Council’s own legal team by providing any advice required regarding the implication of new Government advice; assist with responding to key representations; advise on the production of any additional evidence and support Officers through the Site Allocations Examination process, where the master plans will be considered as supporting documents. 

Staff

Joint working with land owners to develop the master plans has reduced the burden on the Strategic Planning and Regeneration team.  Going forward, at the planning application stage, having adopted master plans, agreed by land owners, will similarly assist the development management team.

Land

The Local Allocations support delivery of the Council’s adopted Core Strategy which will play an important role in decisions regarding future land uses within the Borough. 

Risk Implications

The master plans have been developed in conjunction with land owners and have been subject to public consultation, which reduces the risk of lengthy delays at the planning application stage.

Equalities Implications

An Equality Impact Assessment has been carried out for the Core Strategy.  Equalities issues are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13