Agenda and minutes

To receive and note any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

There were no interests declared.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2017.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2017.

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor V Richichi and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2017 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Terms of Reference attached.

Noted.

Report of the Strategic Director of Place.

The Planning Policy Team Manager presented the report to Members.  Following the adoption of the Local Plan in November 2017, Policy S1 required an immediate review and the report outlined the proposed approach.  It was considered that the local plan review should cover the period 2011 to 2036 rather than 2031 to ensure a longer period of time between adoption and the end of the plan period to minimise the likely need for a further review before the statutory requirement that plans be reviewed within five years of adoption.  He clarified for Members that it would be a partial review, as the need for an immediate review was to address the matters identified through the local plan examination only.  It was proposed that the initial consultation be undertaken in February/March 2018 for a six week period, the proposed timetable was detailed within the report.

In response to a question from Councillor M Specht, the Planning Policy Team Manager confirmed that Parish Council’s would be consultees as well as individuals, groups and organisations on the Council’s database that had been engaged in the past.

Councillor J Legrys understood that there was no option but to undertake the review.  He also accepted that the review would be limited but asked if any suggestions such as the alteration to the limits to development would be considered if put forward as part of the consultation.  He also asked if the previously discussed lack of infrastructure would be addressed. The Planning Policy Team Manager stated that the limits to development would need to be updated to reflect the current position but he felt they would not need to be reviewed as it had only just been adopted as part of the plan.  However, the initial consultation was to consider any suggestions put forward.  He confirmed that infrastructure would also be looked at.

Councillor J Legrys informed Members that he had attended a briefing on the Draft Strategic Growth Plan earlier in the evening and the document did hint at the housing need in relation to the Leicester City redistribution of new housing.  It was clear that Leicester City would not be able to meet their housing need within their boundaries.  With development focused on other districts and the building of the A46 express highway, he believed that the changes in the Local plan needed to be taken into context with the Draft Strategic Growth Plan, the Midlands Engine and what was happening in other authority’s areas.  He went on to say that by speaking to his constituents, it was apparent that people were confused about all the different plans as nothing was being properly put together or communicated and neighbouring authorities were not being clear.  He expressed concerns that there would not be enough housing in the Midlands gateway. 

The Chairman believed that the best option for the District Council was to build in enough flexibility as everyone was aware that the requirement for higher numbers was coming from neighbouring authorities.

The Head of Planning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.