Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning and Infrastructure

The Chairman advised that he had received a request to speak from Councillor M Hay and invited him to address the committee.

Councillor M Hay addressed the committee advising that his ward covered one of the proposed development sites. He praised officers for the report and was impressed with the level of detail that had gone into the work, especially around infrastructure, which he felt was a lynchpin for the style of development addressed in the report. He acknowledged that more housing was needed and the infrastructure requirements to support it, but urged officers to take into consideration the quality of life for both the new and existing residents within the area. He highlighted that any new development in the north of the district had to work, as if not it would have a knock- on effect on  the existing amenities and traffic in the Castle Donington Wards. He added that it had to be done correctly not only for residents now, but those in the future.

The Chairman thanked Councillor M Hay for his comments and asked him to put them in writing to the officers so that they were able to provide responses.

The Planning Policy Team Manager presented the report to members.

It was noted that some members  supported a new settlement in principal but felt that it should be a new settlement, not a settlement bolted on to an existing community. It was considered  that lessons needed to be learnt in relation to the lack of concern from the developers in relation to the Grange Road sites over the impact to  existing residents of Hugglescote’s quality of life from the bolt on development. It was requested that the terminology ‘quality of life’ be included in responses and ensured that the Council learns from these experiences.

One member  felt that the main issues that needed to be taken into account were the experiences and problems that had arisen within the Hugglescote ward in relation to the South East Coalville developments, and that infrastructure needed to be put  inbefore development commenced. It was  asked whether the flightpath of aircraft going over the sites listed was considered when the study was carried out?

The Planning Policy Team Manager advised that it was looked at and the view was that these matters would be dealt with through development management systems or local plan policies. Therefore, at that stage, air and noise issues would not prohibit development.

Members were pleased that officers were carrying out the work and acknowledged that self-contained new settlements would be needed rather than bolting on to existing communities, without the necessary infrastructure first being in place. It was  asked if officers could advise why the inspector had turned down the sites in Essex and whether the work already undertaken by the council had given them confidence that the authority would not face the outcome as that in Essex. Reference was made to the junction close to site D where it was felt that the infrastructure could be improved.

The Planning Policy Team Manager advised that the reasons the sites had been turned down in Essex were because the inspectors were not convinced that the developments would be deliverable due to their size. As a result officers began thinking about the proposals and trying to fill in any gaps as early as possible.

A member advised that he was pleased that information had been sought on the site that he had put forward, however he noted that external support could be sought and he would be happy to meet officers to discuss. He asked that the proposal be moved forward. He stated that he would be happy to work with a fellow councillor whose concerns he shared. .

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

RESOLVED THAT:

(I)    The outcome from the infrastructure study and landscape sensitivity appraisal be noted;

(II)   None of the four sites identified in the report are to be discounted at this time be noted; and

(III)The intention to develop options for a potential future development strategy be noted.