Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services seeking endorsement for the Joint Strategy for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough by the Local Authorities.

Endorsed a Joint Statement on the Development Strategy for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

By way of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet was invited to consider the contents of a Joint Statement on the Development Strategy for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough by the Local Authorities which would be used in the development of new local plans.  The Statement had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

Members were advised that the document was an update of the first Joint Statement developed in 2010 and now incorporated Peterborough Unitary Authority as well as the Cambridgeshire Authorities. It would provide a basis for the authorities to continue to work together at a strategic level across administrative boundaries and to plan effectively for growth.

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the Joint Statement on the Development Strategy for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough by the local authorities be endorsed.

To receive a report by the Head of Planning Services on the Joint Statement on the Development Strategy for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Consideration was given to a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) by the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy on the Joint Statement on the Development Strategy for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough by the Local Authorities. The Planning Service Manager (Policy) informed Members that the Joint Statement represented a formalised way of working that took into account the National Planning Policy Framework, localism and strategic cross-border matters such as the A14 and the Enterprise Zone.

In response to a question by Councillor G J Harlock on what evidence existed to support the Statement’s claim that ‘major developments, essential regeneration and infrastructure provision in Cambridgeshire’s market towns continue to make positive progress’ Members were advised that the Statement covered the whole County in which many examples could be found and that the purpose of the Statement was to balance future infrastructure requirements to allow developments to take place. 

Given the need for joint working on cross border issues, Members questioned why the Statement made no reference to neighbouring authorities other than those in Cambridgeshire.  They were informed that two meetings had been held with partners including Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Peterborough Councils. This would enable them to comply with the ‘duty to co-operate’.  Having regard to the joint working arrangements, Councillor C R Hyams stated that historically Huntingdonshire District Council had delivered on its regional strategic objectives but that not all neighbouring authorities had done so.  In response, Members were assured that the joint working arrangements would establish the causes of this and were intended to prevent undue development being forced upon Huntingdonshire District Council.  It should ensure that the right development targets would be set for each authority.

Councillor Mrs M Bannerjee expressed the view that the District Council should try to ensure that developments in neighbouring districts did not impact negatively on Huntingdonshire.  Having specific regard to the Great Haddon development within Peterborough City Council’s jurisdiction, the Planning Service Manager (Policy) advised that the District Council’s Planning Officers were working with Officers at Peterborough City Council to mitigate its impact on the northern fringes of Huntingdonshire.  It was noted that the development of more than 5000 homes was in Peterborough City Council’s Core Strategy; however, at the time it was approved, Peterborough City Council were not involved in the joint working arrangements.

RESOLVED

that the Joint Statement on the Development Strategy for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough by the local authorities be endorsed for submission to the Cabinet.

Owing to their importance for the Council’s planning function, the Panel received an update on recent Government announcements on temporary changes to the planning system. The Planning Service Manager (Policy) informed Members that there was likely to be a relaxation of planning policy and guidance. At the same time the Planning Inspectorate would have an enhanced role and be instructed to direct resources to appeals that had major economic implications. Consultation was also planned on extending Permitted Development rights, the idea being that this would allow Development Management Officers to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28