Issue - meetings

The report of the Interim Planning Policy Team Manager.

Prior to this item, the Head of Planning and Infrastructure drew members’ attention to recommendation XI in the report which related to the Stewardship Policy. He advised that it was being reconsidered, and that it would be brought back to the Committee at a later date. It was therefore excluded from the recommendations.

The Interim Local Plan Team Manager and the Principal Planning Policy Officer then presented the report in sections, and each one was followed by a discussion.

Strategic Warehousing Site Allocation Policies

A discussion was had during which several questions of clarity were addressed by the planning policy officers. Members questioned whether the allocated sites would have been gradually released over a long period of time. The Principal Planning Policy Officer confirmed this was the intention but noted that there was nothing in planning policy guidance that allowed for a slow release of sites. It was suggested that the new future authority could assess whether a slow release was required in the future.

A member asked whether a colour scheme could have been prescribed to Mercia Park  which would have made it more visually appealing. The Principal Planning Policy Officer responded that the Good Design Guide included a section that focused on industrial buildings which included the level of detail that was appropriate for the policy, and that specific details such as colour scheme would have been addressed at the planning application stage.

With reference to sites EMP73 (part), EMP97 and EMP98, members expressed concern for Battram and Kegworth, adding that they would have liked an Area of Separation between the warehousing in the area so that the green fields were better preserved. The Principal Planning Policy Officer confirmed that the policies included references to retaining gaps to adjacent settlements and this was also referred to in Policy S4 which collectively ensured separation was maintained.

Housing Types and Mix

A discussion was had during which members commented on the difficulty residents were having in finding bungalows to purchase.

It was asked whether the locations in which bungalows were built could have been improved for the benefit of residents. The Principal Planning Policy Officer replied that supporting text could be added to the document which emphasised this point.

Policy IF8 – Update Regarding Lorry Parking

As part of a discussion, members asked if developers could have been encouraged to offer their sites for lorry parking, particularly in Donington Le Heath.

Design of New Development

There were no comments made.

Isley Woodhouse Allocation – Updated Policy Wording

During discussion, members were supportive of the new policy wording. They questioned whether the policies could have been grouped into categories when they were released as part of a public document which would help with the navigation and overall understanding of the policy. The Head of Planning and Infrastructure agreed and stated that this could be achieved prior to Regulation 19 consultation with the use of subheadings.

As recommendations 8 and 12 were to note the comments received in respect of Policy H4:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56