Agenda item

Report of the Interim Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Leader

Councillor R Blunt presented the report to members and was pleased that Council was asked to formally adopt the Local Plan as it had been a long time in the making.  He reminded members that the plan allocated land to meet the district's development needs during the period up to 2031.  This would give the Council an element of control over where new development happens, and would help prevent inappropriate or unsustainable development. He highlighted that the Council was currently winning many more planning appeals than previously, and that was because independent inspectors were taking the new plan, and the very healthy supply of housing land with planning permission, into account when deciding appeals.  He added that the healthy housing land supply, in particular, had been hard won.  He acknowledged that Planning Committee Members had been asked to make tough choices over the last few years, and those difficult decisions were now translating into new homes on the one hand, and a healthy five year supply to allow the Council to defend appeals on the other.  He emphasised the importance of maintaining housing land supply and urged members not to be complacent as this hard won position of strength was very easily lost, and once lost, was doubly difficult to regain.

Councillor R Blunt stated that the up to date Local Plan gave the Council a reputation as an authority that had delivered and this track record would help us bid for funding for better infrastructure to support our growth.  He added that North West Leicestershire was a district that was open for business and would continue to support developers of new homes, jobs and infrastructure in our shared ambitions for the district.  However the plan would help ensure quality homes were built in the right place.  Local people and businesses would benefit, and new residents and businesses would be attracted to the area.  He added that the Local Plan recognised the need to ensure planning contributes to enhancing the natural environment by making best use of green spaces for recreation and leisure, providing routes for walking and cycling, supporting wildlife and helping manage flooding. 

Councillor R Blunt explained that the Local plan would continue to protect the green wedge between Coalville and Whitwick.  Inspectors accepted the argument that to allow the unwanted and unnecessary housing development within the area of separation would be tantamount to precluding the south east Coalville major urban extension.  He reported that viable, implementable planning permissions were within reach to deliver the flagship sustainable urban extension.  He added that the growth in Coalville provided an opportunity for further regeneration within the town centre with the increased spending power new residents would bring to the town.  He acknowledged however the importance of continuing the drive to improve the offer Coalville provides through leisure activities, night-time economy and the retail offer.

Councillor R Blunt reminded members that the Local Plan was not only about Coalville, but was about each and every community across the district, all of which had a unique offer.  He made reference to the road changes underway at Ashby de la Zouch to improve the accessibility to the town, the striking new M&S food store and the permission granted for the first phase of the Money Hill scheme.  He also referred to the Roxhill development at the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange in the northern parishes, which would provide more than seven thousand new jobs, as well as the long awaited new bypass for Kegworth which was already under construction.  The road improvements at Kegworth would tie into the new SMART motorway works which Highways England was currently putting in place.  This reflected our location within the logistics golden triangle, and the draft strategic growth plan recognised the potential for high quality housing to support those new jobs and infrastructure.  He emphasised the importance of working with parishes around this area of significant development to ensure their town and village centres thrived in a changing landscape. 

Councillor R Blunt was pleased that the plan had been prepared with active cross-party support, for instance Councillor J Legrys was in the chair at the Local Plan Advisory Committee when it resolved to recommend to Council that the plan be published and then submitted to the secretary of state.  He reminded members that submission of the plan was the point of no return, and felt it was fitting that Councillor J Legrys was in the chair for that decision.

Councillor R Blunt thanked each and every member and officer who had contributed to the development of the Local Plan which he knew had been a significant amount of work.  He gave special thanks to Councillor T J Pendleton, whose stewardship of the Regeneration and Planning portfolio continued to deliver for the district.  He commended his professionalism and enthusiasm.

Councillor R Blunt moved the recommendations set out in the report, that the new Local Plan for North West Leicestershire be adopted.

The motion was seconded by Councillor J Bridges.  He stated that the Local Plan gave more stability to the area.  He referred to the cross party work of the Local Plan Advisory Committee which had sought comments from the parishes to ensure the Local Plan was robust.  He stated that the situation was evolving and this was just the start.  He added that the Council was a victim of its own success, as people wanted to live in and work in the district and employment was growing, however he believed the plan had been created with enough flexibility to control growth on behalf of the people of North West Leicestershire. 

Councillor S Sheahan reiterated that the Local Plan had been a long time coming and was greatly needed.  He hoped it would balance the needs of businesses with environmental concerns whilst proving the necessary infrastructure.  He thanked all involved in producing the plan.  

Councillor M B Wyatt stated that he did not recognise or support the Local Plan due to being denied the right to take part in the process. 

Councillor M Specht expressed disappointment that only part of the village of Coleorton would now be considered sustainable under the new Local Plan.  He added that the limits to development were not being extended.  He felt this was contrary to the demand for more housing and the golden triangle of sustainability.  He asked officers to explain how services could be sustained when organic growth was being strangled. 

Councillor K Merrie thanked everybody involved in the creation of the Local Plan.  He added that work could now progress with the Ellistown and Battleflat neighbourhood plan. 

Councillor A C Saffell expressed concerns in respect of the heritage of the area.  He referred to the comments which had been made and incorporated at the enquiry stage, which had subsequently been removed.  He expressed disappointment that the inspector had changed his mind following the enquiry.

Councillor D J Stevenson commented that as Chairman of the Planning Committee, nobody could be more grateful for the adoption of the Local Plan than himself.  He referred to the difficulties experienced by the Planning Committee and he hoped this would ease the situation. 

Councillor J G Coxon welcomed the Local Plan and recognised the amount of work that went into producing it.  He hoped that adoption of the Local Plan would help regularise some of the planning applications coming forward. 

Councillor R Blunt thanked Councillor J Bridges for his positive comments.  He advised Councillor M Specht he would receive a response to his very detailed question after the meeting.  He stated that he shared Councillor A C Saffell’s disappointment in respect of the points raised relating to heritage.  He commended Councillor D J Stevenson and said that his role as Chairman of the Planning Committee was incredibly valued, and he hoped the adoption of the Local Plan would ease the situation.  He confirmed that more funding would be allocated in the budget to Planning Enforcement. 

The Chairman then put the motion to the vote and it was

RESOLVED THAT:

a)           The Inspector’s report and his recommendations to make the Local Plan sound be accepted, as set out in Appendix A of this report;

b)           The additional modifications be approved as set out in Appendix C of this report, subject to any amendments recommended in Appendix D of this report;

c)           Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Planning to make any further additional modifications to address typographical errors or factual corrections;

d)           The policies map be amended to take account of any consequential changes arising from the main or additional modifications;

e)           The North West Leicestershire Local Plan be adopted as set out in Appendix E of this report;

f)            An adoption statement and the final sustainability appraisal report be issued in accordance with Regulations 17 and 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) Regulations 2012; and

Officers be authorised to commence work on a review of the Local Plan within 3 months of the adoption of the Local Plan.