Agenda and minutes

To receive and note any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R D Bayliss and Councillor J Bridges.

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 6 October 2016.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2016.

It was moved by Councillor J Cotterill seconded by Councillor V Richichi and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Terms of Reference attached.

Noted.

Report of the Director of Services.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration presented the report to Members. He advised Members that the HEDNA had been published in January and it replaced the SHMA, and assessed the housing and employment requirements for the whole of the Leicester and Leicestershire area between 2011 and 2036, adding that it was a big piece of work that had been carried out by G L Hearn over the past 18 months. He highlighted to Members that the HEDNA assessed a housing need for the district of 481 dwellings per year, the submitted Local Plan allowed for 520 dwellings per year, and a requirement of an additional 65 – 66 ha of employment land, which was significantly higher than what was originally suggested. Members were informed that the authority had provided further information to the Inspector stating that it did not think that it needed to make any further provision for housing land as it had over provided ensuring that if some developments did not progress, the authority would still meet the needs He also informed Members that North West Leicestershire also had an obligation to ensure that the needs of the whole housing market area were met should other authorities be unable to meet their requirements.

In relation to the employment land, the Director of Services advised Members that the authority recognised that there was an under provision of land in the plan in accordance to the figures in the HEDNA based on certain categories, but it was felt that the over provision of land for logistics purposes that would be provided at the Roxhill development could be seen as meeting the requirements in a different way, however other agencies may have other views. Members were informed that the Inspector would consider the new figures and additional information on the 21 March 2017 and form a view with a report expected around May.

Councillor M Specht stated that having seen the figures in the report he was 95% certain that the Local Plan would be accepted and he felt that there could be a possibility of more land being found for employment. He supported the report and recommendations.

In response to a question from Councillor V Richichi, the Director of Services stated that he was confident that the authority had done all it could to ensure that the submitted plan was sound but it was now in the hands of the Inspector, however now that the HEDNA figures had been produced in relation to housing the authority was in a better position, but it could be the employment land that raised further issues for the plan.

Councillor G Jones was reassured about the housing figures, but expressed concerns over the employment land.

The Director of Services advised Members of the different employment land categories and that there appeared to be a shortfall on B1 sites but the amount of B8 land that was available at the Roxhill site would hopefully go towards making up the shortfall.

Councillor G Jones felt that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Report of the Director of Services.

The Planning Policy Team Manager presented the report to Members. He advised that the needs assessment was still ongoing and once complete would provide the authority with a definitive answer to the number of pitches required. He informed Members that when the consultation in February 2016 on the emerging DPD had been carried out representations had been submitted via the Council’s consultation hub which officers had considered, responded to and reported to the Committee in July 2016. However it had been brought to officers’ attention that a number of representations had been made via email that had not been picked up for the July meeting and these were included for Members information. He highlighted to Members that the next stage would be to prepare the Allocation Development Plan once the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment had been published but that may not be until after the County elections in May.

In response to questions from Councillor V Richichi, officers advised that the risks highlighted in the report referred to the Local Plan not progressing and that these risks would be greater to the authority if it was seen as not even trying to address the need of sites, that the assessment would identify the figures for the County and that there was no reason to believe the authority would fail. He was also advised that residents at any sites would be subject to Council Tax and depending on the tenor, rent.

Councillor M Specht stated that he was waiting to see the full assessment of the provision required and noted that it was not expected until after the elections in May but felt that issues could arise as the figures were unknown as to how many pitches were needed and assurances had been given that the Allocations Development Plan would run parallel to the Local Plan.  He expressed disappointment that there had been no response from either the Gypsy and Traveller community or the Multi Agency Traveller Unit Co-ordinator from Leicestershire County Council. He advised that he was happy with the update.

It was moved by Councillor M Specht, seconded by Councillor R Johnson and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocation DPD update be noted.