Issue - meetings

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Planning Services to consider the draft Development Brief for the Old Fire Station, St Neots.

Approved the content of the draft planning brief for the redevelopment of the Old Fire Station and Depot, Huntingdon Street, St. Neots as Interim Planning Guidance to the Huntingdonshire Local Plan and authorised the Head of Planning Services to make any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a schedule summarising those representations received during consultation on the draft planning brief which would guide the redevelopment of the Old Fire Station and Depot, Huntingdon Street, St. Neots.

Having considered the responses received along with the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) on the matter, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the content of the planning brief for the Old Fire Station and Depot, Huntingdon Street, St Neots be approved as Interim Planning Guidance to the Huntingdonshire Local Plan; and

  (b)  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised to make any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Planning Services to consider the Development Brief for the Old Fire Station site, St Neots.

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

(Councillor D Harty declared a personal interest as a member of St. Neots Town Council.)

Following an introduction by the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, the Panel considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the redevelopment opportunities of land in and around the Old Fire Station and depot, Huntingdon Street, St. Neots.  The Panel was advised that this was a redundant site which needed design guidance to aid with its marketing.  Members acknowledged the lack of leisure infrastructure within St. Neots and agreed that this could potentially offer a key site for leisure development.  It was reported that ideas for the site had been discussed with both the Town Council and St. Neots Town Centre Initiative and Members were assured that this site would be developed in a manner appropriate to its town centre location.

The Head of Planning Services informed the Panel that there were complications over access rights within the site which it was hoped would be resolved before the site was marketed. 

Overall, the panel welcomed the development brief and had no objections to the proposals.