Agenda item

The report of the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager and Principal Planning Policy Officer

Before the presentation of item 5, the Chair of the Local Plan Committee explained the structure of the presentations and discussions to the Committee.

The report was presented by the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager and the Principal Planning Policy Officer.

Sections 1 – 3
The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager explained to the Committee that the actual number of dwellings required may change based on updated government modelling. If the number decreases, some sites may be removed; if it increases, new sites may need to be added. Unmet housing needs from Leicester City and possibly Oadby and Wigston would also influence final numbers.

It was appreciated by a member of the Committee, that the HS2 safeguarded had been removed. In response to their enquiry about the Norton Juxta Twycross development, the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager explained that the majority of this proposal was located within Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council area. Decisions made for this site relied on the Borough Council, who were less advanced in their Local Plan process which could mean potential delays in this Council’s Plan. Updates would be provided to the Committee.

It was requested by a member that the Committee have further discussions about proposals that involved Nortion Juxta Twycross, Appleby and employment at Junction 11.

Officers were congratulated for their ‘meticulous’ responses to the public consultation process.

Section 4
A member of the Committee raised concerns, on behalf of residents of Rushey Close, about an allocated site South of Burton Road. It was reported that these residents were not officially informed during the consultation of this site. It was explained that the consultation process involved Parish and Town Councils being notified with the expectation to help disseminate information; and those signed up to the consultation database, or had previously made representations, were contacted. It was added that writing to every resident was not feasible due to cost and time constraints. Officers were unsure why residents of this site were unaware as other sites across the district were notified. Any comments received would be reviewed thoroughly and if changes to the plan was warranted, recommendations would be made accordingly.

Section 5

A discussion followed. The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Mangers informed Members, that whilst the Council were unable to compel developers to work together, there was some reassurance that 3 of the developers had met. Upcoming transport modelling evidence may require sensible planning and encourage collaboration between developers, but it was up to them to do so.

Members were updated on an active petition in relation to Torrington Avenue (recommendation 2). Actions taken, because of the petition, depended on the number of signatures.

In response to a question, it was explained that a parcel of undeveloped land would be preserved by a legal agreement, but future changes could not be ruled out.

Concerns were raised about the West Whitwick land. It was explained that If the land was included in the Regulation 19 plan, objections could still be submitted; and that viability assessment and/or other evidence could lead to changes, which included the removal or replacement of sites.

Section 6

A discussed followed. The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager proposed to include supportive wording in the Plan to protect existing homes from site designs with potential negative impacts, in response to a Member’s request.

It was explained to the Committee that a ditch running parallel to Park Lane (CD9) had resulted in the lead Local Flood Authority raising concerns in respect of site access. Officers were to follow this up to understand how this might affect the proposed widening of Park Lane, though the issue was expected to be manageable.

Section 7

A discussion followed. The suitability of site K12 in Kegworth was questioned due to noise and safety concerns. The Principal Planning Policy Officer explained that pending a detailed noise assessment and mitigation plan, the site could be considered potentially acceptable. Officers were also awaiting legal advice due to the site’s proximity to the Kegworth air crash site. The site would be withdrawn and replaced elsewhere if deemed unsuitable following these measures.

In response to concerns raised by a member regarding Housing Allocation Strategy (7b) the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager explained that Strategy Option 7b was the option the Committee felt most comfortable with; out of several options. Changes made to distributions were necessary due to constraints including site availability and highway advice; and to ensure housing targets were met. Option 7b was a guiding framework and not set in stone. It was recognised that the distribution was not ideal, but many settlements lacked available sites. Members also recognised that while the strategy wasn’t perfect, it reflected practical constraints and dynamically evolved evidence.

A recorded vote being requested, the voting was detailed below.

The motion was put to vote and CARRIED. Recorded votes to follow.

RESOLVED THAT:

SUBJECT TO THE OUTCOME OF FURTHER WORK INCLUDING TRANSPORT MODELLING, VIABILITY ASSESSMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE

REQUIREMENTS, THE LOCAL PLAN COMMITTEE AGREES THAT:

1. LAND OFF THORNBOROUGH ROAD (C18) IS ALLOCATED FOR AROUND 105 DWELLINGS IN THE REGULATION 19 LOCAL PLAN.

2. LAND OFF HALL LANE AND TORRINGTON AVENUE (C19A); LAND OFF STEPHENSON WAY (C19B) AND BROOM LEYS FARM (C46) ARE ALLOCATED AS A SINGLE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT AREA IN THE REGULATION 19 LOCAL PLAN, TO PROVIDE AROUND 1,200 DWELLINGS IN TOTAL.

3. LAND SOUTH OF THE GREEN, DONINGTON LE HEATH (C90) IS ALLOCATED FOR AROUND 62 DWELLINGS IN THE REGULATION 19 LOCAL PLAN.

4. LAND ADJACENT TO 194 BURTON ROAD, ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH (A31) IS ALLOCATED FOR AROUND 30 DWELLINGS IN THE REGULATION 19 LOCAL PLAN.

5. LAND SOUTH OF PARK LANE, CASTLE DONINGTON (CD9) IS ALLOCATED FOR AROUND 35 DWELLINGS IN THE REGULATION 19 LOCAL PLAN.

6. LAND REAR OF 111A HIGH STREET, IBSTOCK (IB20) IS ALLOCATED FOR AROUND 46 DWELLINGS IN THE REGULATION 19 LOCAL PLAN.

7. LAND SOUTH OF ASHBY ROAD, KEGWORTH (K12) IS ALLOCATED FOR AROUND 140 DWELLINGS IN THE REGULATION 19 LOCAL PLAN, SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION THAT THE SITE IS ACCEPTABLY LOCATED IN RELATION TO THE EAST MIDLANDS AIRPORT PUBLIC SAFETY ZONE.

8. LAND OFF LEICESTER ROAD/ASHBY ROAD, MEASHAM (M11) IS ALLOCATED FOR AROUND 300 DWELLINGS IN THE REGULATION 19 LOCAL PLAN, UNLESS FURTHER WORK ON SURFACE WATER FLOODING DEMONSTRATES A LOWER CAPACITY IS MORE APPROPRIATE.

9. LAND OFF ABNEY DRIVE, MEASHAM (M14) IS ALLOCATED FOR AROUND 150 DWELLINGS IN THE REGULATION 19 LOCAL PLAN.

10. LAND AT MEASHAM ROAD, APPLEBY MAGNA (AP1) IS ALLOCATED FOR AROUND 37 DWELLINGS IN THE REGULATION 19 LOCAL PLAN.

11. LAND WEST OF REDBURROW LANE, PACKINGTON (P7) IS DEFERRED FOR CONSIDERATION AT A FUTURE MEETING OF THE LOCAL PLAN COMMITTEE.

12. LAND OFF CHURCH LANE, RAVENSTONE (R9) IS ALLOCATED FOR AROUND 50 DWELLINGS IN THE REGULATION 19 LOCAL PLAN.

13. FURTHER TO THE GOVERMENT’S LIFTING OF THE HS2 SAFEGUARDING ROUTE, LAND SOUTH OF ASHBY DE LA ZOUCH (PACKINGTON NOOK) (A7) BE NO LONGER PROPOSED AS A RESERVE ALLOCATION SITE.

14. LAND AT SPRING LANE AND REAR OF 55 NORMANTON ROAD (P5 AND P8) IS DEFERRED FOR CONSIDERATION AT A FUTURE MEETING OF THE LOCAL PLAN COMMITTEE.