Issue - meetings

To receive a report by the Chief Planning Officer on Land Availability Assessments.

Executive Councillor: T Sanderson.

The Cabinet has:

(a)  approved the contents of the Land Availability Assessments;

(b)  agreed that the Land Availability Assessments be published for public consultation for ten weeks between 18 September and 27 November 2024; and

(c)  granted delegated authority to the Chief Planning Officer, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning to make any necessary typographical or other minor changes to the document prior to its publication for consultation.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Chief Planning Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet gave consideration to a report setting out the purpose and content of the Land Availability Assessments and seeking approval of its publication for public engagement for a period of ten weeks from 18th September 2024 to 27th November 2024.

The Executive Councillor for Planning reminded the Cabinet of the requirements of the Council to adhere to the National Planning Policy Framework and National Planning Practice Guidance. The Council had issued a Call for Sites between 29 March 2023 and 7 June 2023 with an ongoing Call for Sites also running for those that might have missed the initial call. The Executive Councillor for Planning reported that the sites had been assessed and drew attention to section 5 of the report. In doing so, it was noted that 369 sites had been assessed of which 39 did not pass the fundamental constraints, 34 did not pass the detailed Land Availability Assessment, 104 sites had been considered unsuitable after the results of the sustainability appraisal had been taken into account and 192 sites had been considered potentially suitable for development.

A number of questions were raised and responded to by the Executive Councillor for Planning and the Corporate Director (Place). These included whether positive responses had been received from applicants where sites had been deemed unsuitable together with the level of ongoing discussion with them about other types of potential development that might be acceptable on such sites. In response, the Corporate Director (Place) confirmed that the Council had responded to what applicants had applied for but that the Council would be open to continuing discussions about unsuitable sites with applicants as necessary. Discussion then took place on the importance of residents, partners and stakeholders engaging in the consultation process where it was acknowledged that developers also had a key part to play in their own consultations with the community.

Having commended the Chief Planning Officer and her team for their hard work in reviewing the sites to date the Cabinet then discussed the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth). Mention was then made of the Local Plans Advisory Group whom also played a pivotal part in reviewing the sites as part of the process.

Following comment made by the Executive Councillor for Economy, Regeneration and Housing that whilst a number of sites had been identified at this stage, it was not necessarily the case that every site would be utilised for development. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet

(a)  approve the contents of the Land Availability Assessments;

(b)  agree that the Land Availability Assessments be published for public consultation for ten weeks between 18 September and 27 November 2024; and

(c)  grant delegated authority to the Chief Planning Officer, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning to make any necessary typographical or other minor changes to the document prior to its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30

The Panel is invited to consider and comment on the Local Plan: Land Availability Assessments.

By means of a report by the Chief Planning Officer (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book) the Local Plan: Land Availability Assessments report was presented to the Panel.

Following a question from Councillor Howell relating to whether sites were assessed on a case by case basis or whether neighbouring sites were also taken into account, the Panel heard that that the sites are assessed as separate entities but that the Further Issues and Options consultation asks for comment on specific growth options and other factors that will help to inform the final package of sites that would be allocated, taking into account responses and further evidence to understand their impact as a whole in settlements.  

Councillor Martin expressed concern over heritage sites in the vicinity of identified sites, whereupon the Panel were assured that although the initial assessment only considered the immediate area of the site, the impact of a site on heritage assets in the wider local area are taken into consideration as part of the sustainability appraisal. If a site is eventually allocated in the local plan and heritage assets are nearby, criteria would be included within the allocation to ensure this is addressed appropriately as part of any planning application put forward.  

Following questions from Councillor Jennings, the Panel heard that the consultation would be residents opportunity to comment on sites and that it would be helpful to receive those comments even if they were in agreement with the comments within the assessment to reinforce the assessments.

The Panel were assured following a question from Councillor Gardener that an interactive map is available to residents which would allow them to identify sites both within their own and neighbouring parishes so that they may comment accordingly on how this may impact them.

The Panel heard, in response to a question from Councillor Martin, that responses were all treated equally irrespective of who had submitted them, however this is influenced by the level of detail provided.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel be added to the Cabinet report in order for an informed decision to be made upon the report recommendations.

Councillor Corney re-joined the meeting.