Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning and Infrastructure

The Planning Policy Team Leader presented the report to Members.

Councillor R Johnson expressed how prudent the Neighbourhood Plan was for the village and was pleased with how the neighbourhood had engaged.  He added that it had taken a lot of hard work but the result was a very good plan.  He questioned some of the comments by officers, especially in relation to the community facilities and amenities as there was more than one shop in the village.

Councillor J Legrys congratulated the Parish on the work undertaken on the Neighbourhood Plan.  He concurred with Councillor R Johnson’s comments in that the officer’s report has understated some of the points, such as shops in the Parish.

In relation to the officer comments within the report on the aspirations for universal vehicle charging points, Councillor D Bigby acknowledged that there was no national requirement for universal vehicle charging points but did not want this to be the reason it was removed.  He felt it was something that was moving forward and an area where the Council’s Local Plan was falling behind.  The Planning Policy Team Manager fully supported the aspirations of the Parish but reported that there were some technical issues at the present time which was why the comments were included as a note of caution.

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor R  Johnson and

RESOLVED THAT:

(I)        The suggested Pre-Submission (Regulation 14) Response to Hugglescote and Donington-le-Heath Parish Council as set out in appendix B be endorsed.

(II)       Endorsement of any further response by officers at Submission (Regulation 16) Stage be delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure.

(III)      It be noted that once the Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted, the Strategic Director of Place in Consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure would:

a)    publish the plan for a six week period and invite representations;

b)    notify consultation bodies; and

c)    appoint an independent examiner to conduct the examination of the Neighbourhood Plan.

(IV)     It be noted that following receipt of the independent examiners report, the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure would determine whether conditions had been met for the Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to referendum.

(V)      If the majority of those who voted in the referendum were in favour of the Hugglescote and Donington-le-Heath Neighbourhood Plan and the District Council does not consider the making of the Neighbourhood Plan to be incompatible with any EU or Human Rights obligations, and that there was no available meeting of the Cabinet within eight weeks of the referendum, then the decision whether to make the Plan be delegated to the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure.