Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Place.

The Planning Policy Team Manager presented the report to members, outlining the scope of the proposed consultation to identify local green spaces.  He advised that the consultation would be aimed primarily at parish and town councils to bring forward sites, however he was conscious that some areas were not covered by parish council and there may be some local groups in those areas that could assist with the consultation.  He added that the consultation would be open to the public subsequent to the direct consultation with parish councils.  Following the initial consultation, the list of sites would be assessed via an agreed methodology and the list of sites would be brought back to the Local Plan Committee at a later date. 

In response to a question from Councillor R Adams, the Planning Policy Team Manager advised that designating a piece of land as a local green space would ensure no new development on the land without a very good reason. 

In response to a question from Councillor M Specht, the Planning Policy Team Manager advised that it was intended to commence the call for sites next week and the consultation would continue for 8 weeks.  He added however that the designation would have no status until the Local Plan was agreed.

Councillor R Adams asked that Councillor J Geary be notified of the consultation as Chairman of the Coalville Special Expenses Working Party. 

Councillor A C Saffell referred to a piece of land in his area that the community wanted to protect which had current planning permission.  He asked if there was an opportunity to protect this considering that the planning permission was due to expire.  The Planning Policy Team Manger explained that it would be difficult to protect a piece of land with planning permission and suggested that this may need to be brought forward in a future review, 

In response to a question from Councillor J G Coxon, the Planning Policy Team Manager explained that it would be a massive undertaken for officers to identify sites and the assessment of the sites brought forward would take some time.  He felt that the identification of sites should come from the communities. 

It was moved by Councillor J G Coxon, seconded by Councillor R Johnson and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Local Plan Committee supports the proposals that:

a)     Consideration be given to including local green space as part of the Local Plan review;

b)     a call for sites for the identification of potential local green spaces be undertaken as outlined at paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3 of this report; and

c)     the call for sites be open for an 8 week period to allow evidence to be gathered.