Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning and Infrastructure

The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager presented the report to members and provided an update in respect of the Local Plan and other matters related to the ongoing work of the Planning Policy team, namely the Authority Monitoring Report; Infrastructure Funding Statement; Neighbourhood Plans; Brownfield Land Register; and Strategic planning.

The Chairman asked whether the Statement of Common Ground would still need to be considered by the Committee if it came back showing no effect on the current position.  He was advised that the Statement of Common would have to be agreed and signed off by each required Authority.

Councillor D Bigby asked how much of the Section 106 monies had attached to it a timescale and whether any backlog of unspent monies had been cleared. He was advised that all the monies would have a timescale by which it must be spent, most of which would be within 5 years from the date of the payment, and some would be slightly longer. The situation is constantly monitored, and appropriate prompts are sent to the relevant bodies to establish whether the monies will be spent, or an extension is required.

Councillor Bigby referred to the Neighbourhood Plan in respect of Blackfordby which he advised included an area of separation between Blackfordby and Woodville which is not included in the Local Plan. This was considered encouraging for future Neighbourhood Plans.

Councillor N Smith asked what the implications might be in relation to plans to extend HS2 through to Parkway. He was advised that sites previously discounted for housing may be brought back into play, but the details are not expected until the middle of the year and, until then, it is difficult to know for certain.

Councillor Johnson sought and received confirmation that the consultants referred to in the report had been used before and expressed his dismay at the number of houses being ‘thrown up’ in his ward.

It was moved by Councillor J Geary seconded by Councillor J Hoult and

RESOLVED THAT: -

The contents of the report be noted.