Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services seeking approval of the Quality Charter for growth in Cambridgeshire as informal planning guidance.

Supported the publication of a Quality Charter for Growth in Cambridgeshire.

A report by the Head of Planning Services was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a draft copy of a “Charter for Quality Growth in Cambridgeshire” which had been produced by Cambridgeshire Horizons in partnership with representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Members were informed that the initial aim of the Charter was to achieve higher standards of new housing developments planned for Cambridgeshire.  Having noted that the Charter would be used to secure investment commitments from Government agencies and would assist communications with existing communities and developers, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the publication of a Quality Charter for Growth in Cambridgeshire be supported.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services seeking approval of the Quality Charter for Cambridge’s growth area as informal planning guidance.

(Councillor P L E Bucknell, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Environment and Transport was in attendance for this Item).

A report by the Head of Planning Services was presented by the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Environment and Transport (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) summarising the current draft of the Quality Charter for Growth in Cambridgeshire.  The Head of Planning Services informed the Panel that Cambridgeshire Horizons had been working with a range of partners to draft the Quality Charter in order to achieve higher standards in the new housing developments which were planned for Cambridgeshire.

Arising from Members’ concerns regarding the inconsistency of the various references to Cambridgeshire and Cambridge used within the document, the Head of Planning Services confirmed that this was intended to apply to the Cambridge Sub-Region only. In answer to further questions, he advised that the proposed Core Strategy for the District already was underpinned by sustainable development proposals which would be supplemented by the Quality Charter Proposals.

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the report be noted and the Head of Planning Services be requested to point out to Cambridgeshire Horizons the need for consistency in the geographical terminology used in the document.