Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning and Infrastructure

The Planning Policy Team Manager presented the report to Members. He drew Members attention to the additional papers that had been circulated and advised that Cabinet had considered the report at its meeting on the 23 July 2020. Following a submission of a question from Councillor D Bigby to that meeting, Cabinet agreed to amend objectives 2, 3 and 10 as set out in Councillor R Ashman’s response. He informed Members that, due to the Cabinet decision, they were being asked to note the decision of Cabinet with respect of the Draft Local Plan Objectives taking account of the changes to Objectives 2, 3 and 10 as set out on the additional paper.

Councillor D Bigby explained to the committee why he had submitted the question to Cabinet rather than consideration at the Committee first. He was pleased that Cabinet agreed the changes to objectives 2, 3 and 10 and, that the Council was making progress in developing the framework for the substantive review. He welcomed the new objective 7 that laid down the need to respond to the Climate Emergency but expressed disappointment that Cabinet had rejected the suggestions for objective 5. He fully understood that the District operated in the national and international economic framework and was sure that all wanted a thriving economy, with high standard working environments. He acknowledged that the impact of COVID would bring challenges to maintaining employment in the district along with the limitations within the Local Plan that had been imposed by national legislation. He agreed that thriving local businesses were necessary to the survival of communities, he disputed the assumption that the economic interests of businesses in general, were compatible with the economic interest of local residents. He felt that the continuation of large warehouses being built in the district was not in the interest of the community, which was weighed against the environmental impact. He stated that the Portfolio Holder’s response had sited paragraph 8 of the NPPF, with the last part having caught the Council out. He advised that he had tried to come up with a form of words that would improve the objective, however he had not been able to find any suitable words to suit it. He stated that, unless any other member could suggest some wording, he would support the recommendation as amended by the agreed changes, having had some influence on them.

The Planning Policy Team Manager advised that he appreciated the questions that were submitted by Councillor D Bigby. He noted that a consultation would then be held on the draft objectives and that there was a possibility that an amendment to objective 5 could come through that way, therefore the position regarding objective 5 was not set in stone.

Councillor J Legrys raised the announcement from HMG and the additional £2billion transport funds to local councils for including walking and cycling and put forward a slight addition to objective 4. The wording was:-

In light of HMG recent announcement to provide £2bn  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6