Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Place.

The Planning Policy Team Manager presented the report to members, drawing their attention to the previous draft document that was considered at the last meeting of the Local Plan Advisory Committee.  He explained that the draft document was due to be considered by Council but was withdrawn because officers were made aware of the possibility of other available sites in the district which needed to be investigated.  He outlined the proposals set out in the previous report.  He explained that since the withdrawal of the draft document, officers had been looking at a potential range of sources of additional sites, and in order to maximise the chances of identifying alternative sites, it was recommended that a further call for sites be undertaken which would concentrate on provision for a transit site and for travelling showpeople.  He added that there was no guarantee that any further sites would be put forward through the call for sites. 

In response to questions from Councillor J G Coxon, the Planning Policy Team Manager explained that the time period of the call for sites would be consistent with the previous exercise.  The call for sites would concentrate on any sites that had previously been omitted rather than revisiting sites, and also any sites where there had been a change such as refusal of a planning application.

Councillor A C Saffell commented that provision for travelling showpeople should only be made for those who were members of the showmen’s guild. 

The Planning Policy Team Manager advised that provision could not be restricted in such a way. Councillor A C Saffell agreed to provide contact details for the showmen’s guild to the Planning Policy Team Manager. 

In response to concerns raised by Councillor M Specht regarding the site at Sinope, the Planning Policy Team Manager advised that there was an extant planning permission in place and there was no action to be taken as long as the activity on the site was In accordance with the planning permission.  In relation to the appeal on the Aylesbury Garden site at Swepstone, the owner of the Sinope site had made it clear that the site was available for the travelling community.

Councillor R Ashman commented that wherever the transit site was located would be contentious.  He also hoped that the ward councillor would be involved at an early stage.  He added that the manner in which this was dealt with would make a big difference. 

It was moved by Councillor M Specht, seconded by Councillor R Adams and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)    The update in respect of the Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocation DPD be noted; and

b)    The proposal to issue a further call for sites be agreed.