Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services.

Endorsed the Council’s response to a series of questions by EERA on four possible growth scenarios for the region for the period up to 2031. Requested that officers continue to work with all of the other Cambridgeshire authorities in order that, as far as possible, an appropriately co-ordinated joint response on behalf of the County can be submitted to EERA and authorised the Executive Member of Planning Strategy, to agree any alterations to the Council's position which may become necessary should new circumstances arise, submit any appropriate amended responses to EERA before the response deadline and to continue to liaise with the other Cambridgeshire authorities.

Further to Minute No. 08/24 and by way of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were invited to consider suggested responses to a series of questions by EERA on four possible growth scenarios for the region for the period up to 2031 as part of the on going review of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Having considered the contents of the report and the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) on the matter, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the contents of the report be noted and the Council's response to EERA's proposals endorsed;

  (b)  that officers continue to work with all of the other Cambridgeshire authorities in order that, as far as possible, an appropriately co-ordinated joint response can be submitted to EERA; and

  (c)  that the Executive Member of Planning Strategy, be authorised to agree any alterations to the Council's position may become necessary should new circumstances arise, submit any appropriate amended responses to EERA before the response deadline and to continue to liaise with the other Cambridgeshire authorities.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services.

(Councillor D B Dew, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport was in attendance for this item).

With the aid of a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Head of Planning Services informed the Panel of the current EERA consultation in respect of the ongoing review of the regional spatial strategy and the potential implications of four growth scenarios for the future of Huntingdonshire for the period up to 2031.  Members agreed that the only scenario that was sustainable was for a continuation of the pace of growth in the recently approved core strategy to 2026. In the event of the other scenarios being approved which each proposed greater scale of development, Members were of the view that the result would be additional commuting for employment and an adverse impact on the local infrastructure which could not be accommodated.

In response to a question, the Head of Planning Services reported that Council officers were due shortly to meet with the new owners of Alconbury Airfield to discuss the future of the site. 

RESOLVED

  that the Panel endorse the recommendations contained in the report for submission to the Cabinet.