Agenda item

The Principal Planning Policy Officer presented the report to members.

The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager was asked to provide responses to two questions that had been received from Councillor N Smith. He advised that the first question was in relation to whether the Local Plan would be making any provision for truck stops and the response was that it was not something that had been looked at so far, but it was mentioned the NPPF that Local Authorities should do and it would be looked at. The second question related to the HS2 following the Government’s announcements and it was noted that HS2 were still awaiting instructions  from Government and as soon as that was known Members would be updated.

Following a request from Councillor J Legrys, the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager provided members with an update on the discussions on the unmet housing, employment and strategic distribution needs. 

Councillor J Legrys expressed concerns that there was no mention on how neighbouring Local Plan authorities felt over the level of development in the north of the district and that the Council was still focussing on distribution rather than manufacturing. He felt that option 1 at para 2.19 was the right one as it would build in flexibility and that options should be put in reserve for later in the plan period.

Councillor D Bigby stated that he felt putting options forward for consultation was the right way to go but expressed concerns over the tone of the wording in the report as he felt it could unduly influence people into a particular position. He was pleased to see the options in relation to the general employment land strategy had not got any particular preference.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer advised that in terms of the presentation of the options, officers could provide pros and cons to each option that would appear more balanced.

Consideration was given to the wording of the consultation around the strategic warehousing figure, as it was felt that it would appear that the authority would be willing to take a large part of any unmet need. It was agreed that the wording emphasised that it was an option ahead of what would be agreed at the Countywide option.

Councillor A C Saffell felt that the plan should include a housing development close to the employment land, to provide housing for those who would work there.

It was felt by members that land should be allocated for industry not just warehousing.

Councillor D Bigby noted that the numbers of the paragraphs that were to be included in option 1 should read 2.19 to 2.22, not 2.18 to 2.21 as stated in the report.

Subject to the change of paragraph numbers in (i) of the recommendations, it was moved by Councillor D Bigby, seconded by Councillor J Legrys and

RESOLVED THAT:

The following be included in the next Local Plan review public consultation (regulation 18):

(i)    the options for sustaining employment land supply (paragraphs 2.19 to 2.22),

(ii)   the general employment strategy options (paragraphs 4.9 to 4.12) and

(iii)  the strategic warehousing initial option (paragraph 5.7)