Agenda item

Resolved to Recommend:

 

1.     That the key issues raised through consultation on the Main Modifications to the Site Allocations DPD, and associated changes to the Policies Map, set out in the Report of Representations (Annex 1 of the report to Cabinet) be noted.

 

2.     That the content of the final Report received from the Planning Inspector into the Site Allocations DPD examination (Annex 2 of the report to Cabinet) be noted.

 

3.    that the Pre-Submission Site Allocations DPD (Written Statement and Map Book) incorporating Focused Changes (January 2016), as amended by main and minor modifications (Annex 3(a) and (b) of this report, in accordance with Regulation 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) Regulations 2012) be adopted;

 

4.    that an updated version of the Policies Map to reflect (3) above be published

 

5.     that the Assistant Director - Planning, Development and Regeneration to authorise:

(a)   any  necessary minor and non-consequential changes to the Site Allocations (Written Statement and Map Book) and associated Policies Map prior to publication; 

(b)   the Adoption Statement for the Site Allocations  in accordance with the planning regulations be published; and

(c)   the final version of the Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement (Annex 4 of this report), in accordance with environmental protection legislation be agreed.

 

6.     That the finalised master plans for the six Local Allocations (Annexes 5(a) to (f) of this report), as Supplementary Planning Documents and authorise the Assistant Director - Planning, Development and Regeneration to make any  necessary minor and non-consequential changes to these documents prior to publication be adopted

 

7.     That the Policy Advice Note (May 2017) (Annex 6 of this report) be agreed for publication on the Council’s website, and the Assistant Director – Planning, Development and Regeneration be authorised to update and amend this Note as necessary and to reflect discussion at Cabinet.

 

 

Decision

 

Resolved to Recommend:

 

1.     That the key issues raised through consultation on the Main Modifications to the Site Allocations DPD, and associated changes to the Policies Map, set out in the Report of Representations (Annex 1 of the report to Cabinet) be noted.

 

2.     That the content of the final Report received from the Planning Inspector into the Site Allocations DPD examination (Annex 2 of the report to Cabinet) be noted.

 

3.    that the Pre-Submission Site Allocations DPD (Written Statement and Map Book) incorporating Focused Changes (January 2016), as amended by main and minor modifications (Annex 3(a) and (b) of this report, in accordance with Regulation 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) Regulations 2012) be adopted;

 

4.    that an updated version of the Policies Map to reflect (3) above be published

 

5.     that the Assistant Director - Planning, Development and Regeneration to authorise:

(a)   any  necessary minor and non-consequential changes to the Site Allocations (Written Statement and Map Book) and associated Policies Map prior to publication; 

(b)   the Adoption Statement for the Site Allocations  in accordance with the planning regulations be published; and

(c)   the final version of the Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement (Annex 4 of this report), in accordance with environmental protection legislation be agreed.

 

6.     That the finalised master plans for the six Local Allocations (Annexes 5(a) to (f) of this report), as Supplementary Planning Documents and authorise the Assistant Director - Planning, Development and Regeneration to make any  necessary minor and non-consequential changes to these documents prior to publication be adopted

 

7.     That the Policy Advice Note (May 2017) (Annex 6 of this report) be agreed for publication on the Council’s website, and the Assistant Director – Planning, Development and Regeneration be authorised to update and amend this Note as necessary and to reflect discussion at Cabinet.

 

Reason for Decision

 

To agree adoption of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document and the master plans supporting the Local Allocations of land, together with other updates, in order to provide a clear and up-to-date basis upon which to make planning decisions within the Borough.

 

Corporate Objectives

 

The scope of the Site Allocations DPD (and associated Local Allocations master plans) means that it helps support all 5 corporate objectives:

·        A clean, safe and enjoyable environment: contains requirements relating to the design and layout of new development sites that help promote security and safe access.

·        Building strong and vibrant communities: - provides a framework for local communities to prepare area-specific guidance such as Neighbourhood Plans,  etc.

·        Ensuring economic growth and prosperity:- allocates and protects land for uses that provide employment opportunities.

·        Providing good quality affordable homes: - sets out how the Borough’s overall housing target will be met, together with requirements for affordable homes. 

·        Delivering an efficient and modern Council – by helping to provide a clear framework upon which planning decisions can be made.

 

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer Comments

 

Monitoring Officer:  

 

The Site Allocations DPD will provide a framework for development across the borough, support consistent decision making and reduce speculative applications in locations which may be unsuitable for development.

 

The Inspector has advised that the Site Allocation DPD provides an appropriate basis for planning in the area and, subject to the Main Modifications being made, is satisfied for the plan to be adopted. 

 

The Monitoring Officer is content that the Site Allocations DPD, Masterplans and Policy Advice Note meet the statutory requirements and can be adopted.

 

 

Deputy S.151 Officer:

 

No further comments to add to the report.

 

Advice

 

J Doe acknowledged that the report was very long; however they were now in the final stages of the planning process. He explained that this added detail to the 2013 Core Strategy. It has been consulted on and the inspector last year was satisfied that it met the required criteria.

 

In response to the points raised by Mr Royal he said that there had been a master plan for the site and public consultation and involvement of the local community had taken place. The inspector has used this as an example of best practice. With regards to the number of units being developed, it had previously been capped at 900 units, however the inspector has advised there be no upper limit and therefore the developer has requested 1100 units on the LA3 site.

With regards to the gypsy and traveller site, there would be further details and time scales included in the planning application, which will look at when key road infrastructure and schools would need to be completed. Discussions are currently underway with HCC for the development and timeframes for schooling.

 

J Doe gave reassurance that DBC would carry out public consultation once the planning application has been received.

 

He highlighted that recommendation 7 referred to the Policy Advice Note which was a separate piece of work from the Site Allocations document and was just a check to see how they complied with those listed in annex 6 of the report.

 

Councillor Harden sought clarification for the increase of units from 900-1100. He understood it that the original development stated 900 however the inspector allowed this to be changed. He asked what controls were in place to ensure that the figure didn’t raise again.

J Doe said that the original 900 units were not changing. They needed to be conservative with the estimate and it is the developer who is asking for 1100 units. Therefore the control would be down to the Development Management Committee at the planning application stage. If the application were to exceed 1500 units for example, then the council would look at appropriate building height, density and infrastructure in detail.

 

Councillor Elliot spoke as ward councillor for Chaulden and Warners End. He noted that he had always been opposed to the development of LA3. He felt that the 1100 proposed units should not be allowed and the Gypsy and Traveller site was inappropriate. He said he would abstain from any vote.

 

Councillor Marshall was grateful for the clarification of annex 6 as she was concerned that a number of important core strategies were being put to one side. She was concerned that CS12 was used quite frequently by the Development Management Committee to reject applications as it covered a vast amount of areas.

She was concerned that if Cabinet approve recommendation 7 then this would overrule the use of CS12.

 

J Doe confirmed that CS12 was used extensively and was very important. He said that he would work with the Portfolio Holder and Councillor Marshall, to update the section in appendix 2 ‘Schedule of Policies from the Core Strategy 2006-2031’ to explain the strategic policy column and the use of the tick and cross in order to clarify its purpose. He assured members that if changes were made to any policies, they would have to go through extensive consultation.

 

Councillor Marshall asked how the parking standards would work, which were currently included in the Two Waters master plan consultation.

J Doe replied that this was a separate matter to consider. They were at the very early stages of updating the parking standards and this would feed into the Local Plan review.

 

Councillor Sutton explained that he had been in discussions with J Doe and his team. He respected and heard the concerns raised, but he was convinced the professional team would put community requirements and concerns at the forefront.

 

Councillor Griffiths asked that the consultation for such a major application would be advertised accordingly.

J Doe confirmed that for such a large application there would be wider consultation rather than the standard. He said this was a very long way ahead and therefore would include it in the consultation plan. It would certainly be advertised well.

 

Councillor Griffiths assured Mr Royal that the Cabinet meetings were scheduled a year in advance and therefore it was down to the developers scheduling, for holding their meeting tonight.

 

Mr Royal added that the community were not opposed to the Gypsy and Traveller site, they just felt that the site location was incorrect. He wondered why no-one had asked why the development was coming forward 2 years.

J Doe said that the developer had decided to submit their application. There is a high need for more housing in the area so this could be why its come forward. Due to the detailed delivery timeframe they would still be approaching 2021 before works carried out.

 

Voting

 

The Committee agreed the recommendations; however Councillor Elliot abstained from this.