Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Strategic Growth Manager seeking approval of the Landscape and Townscape Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Executive Councillor: J Neish.

Cabinet has

(a)  adopted the proposed Landscape and Townscape as a Supplementary Planning Document and by doing so supersede the Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment SPD (2007); and

(b)  in making that decision, noted the comments from the Consultation Statement, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitat Regulations Assessment Screening Reports and Equality Impact Assessment.

Members were acquainted with a report by the Strategic Growth Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the Landscape and Townscape Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) that had been developed to update and expand upon the Landscape and Townscape Assessment SPD adopted in 2007. The revised SPD would support the delivery of Huntingdonshire’s Local Plan.

The Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning referred Members to the consultation on the document that had been undertaken between 15th October and 10th December 2021 and the issues raised during this process that resulted in significant amendments and minor changes. In referring to the comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) the Cabinet noted that the comments by Councillor B S Chapman had been reported incorrectly and Councillor Chapman had referred to his disappointment with the level of community engagement and responses to the consultation, not the consultation process itself.

In noting that the SPD had been drafted to bring it inline with current legislative requirements and improved detail to support Officers in making their decisions, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the proposed Landscape and Townscape as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be approved and by doing so supersede the Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment SPD (2007); and

(b)  that the comments from the Consultation Statement, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitat Regulations Assessment Screening Reports and Equality Impact Assessment be noted.

The Landscape and Townscape Supplementary Planning Document is to be presented to the Panel.

By means of a report by the Strategic Growth Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Landscape and Townscape Supplementary Planning Document was presented to the Panel.

Councillor Chapman expressed his disappointment in the lack of community engagement with the consultation as the document will impact on future planning applications. However, the Chairman observed that the document was very thorough and well written and the lack of response may have been due to having no objections. Councillor Roberts also praised the report and commented especially on the interactive map, although it was empathised that the lack of community engagement was disappointing. The Panel heard that all towns and parishes had been contacted for comment as part of the consultation process.

In response to a further comment from Councillor Roberts, it was confirmed to the Panel that towns and parishes could now use this document as the basis to create a neighbourhood plan.

Councillor Butler expressed his disappointment over the Great Fen Project. It was stated that valuable farmland had been used for this project which, it was claimed, did not engage with local communities or manage its land. The point was noted.

Having welcomed the report, the Panel thereupon

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be encouraged to endorse the recommendations contained within the report.