Decision details

The Leader of the Council submitted a report seeking agreement to publish ‘Main Modifications’ to the East Herts District Plan for a six- week period of consultation.  She also sought agreement for the Sustainability Appraisal (January 2018) of the Main Modifications for consultation.  Finally, the Leader also asked Council to note and agree a schedule of ‘Minor Changes’ to the District Plan.

Council recalled that the District Plan had been subjected to Examination by an independent Planning Inspector during recent hearing sessions held between October 2017 and January 2018.  During these hearings, a number of Main Modifications had been discussed as being necessary and these were set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted.

A Sustainability Appraisal Addendum (January 2018), detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ of the report submitted, had also been produced to take account of the Main Modifications and Council was asked to agree that this be published for consultation alongside the Main Modifications documents.  The Leader also detailed a number of Minor Changes to the District Plan at Essential Reference Paper 'D' of the report submitted.  However, as these did not affect the wording of policies or the overall intent of the Plan, the Regulations did not require these to be subject to consultation.

The Leader moved, and Councillor G McAndrew seconded, the recommendations detailed in the report submitted, subject to recommendation (A) be amended as follows:

Add at the end, “…with any further amendments authorised by the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council”.

Various Members expressed their gratitude to the Planning Policy team for their continued efforts and work on the District Plan.

In response to Members’ questions and comments, Officers detailed the extent and range of the consultation that would be undertaken.  Council was advised that over 5000 individuals on the database would be sent either an email or letter inviting them to engage in the consultation period.  The consultation would also include press releases and regular updates on the Council’s website and social media.  Hard copy documents would also be provided to all parish and town councils.

In respect of the 5-year housing land supply, Officers explained that the 20% buffer was a requirement of the National Planning Policy Framework.  The progress of housing delivery would be addressed by various trigger points within the District Plan.  In terms of design, the master planning approach would seek to ensure that local concerns and issues were addressed.

Some Members expressed concern at the use of phrases such as “at least” or “a minimum” in respect of proposed housing numbers, especially in Bishop’s Stortford, as this left the potential size of development as undefined.  Officers responded by explaining that such phrases had been recommended by the Inspector, on the basis that more flexibility was needed. 

In response to concerns in relation to infrastructure requirements, particularly in the Gilston area, Officers explained that the Infrastructure Delivery Plan would be a key consideration at pre-application stage.

The Leader encouraged Members to engage in the consultation process and expressed her personal appreciation to the Planning Policy Team.

Council approved the recommendations as now detailed.

RESOLVED - that (A) the Main Modifications to the East Herts District Plan, as detailed at Essential Reference ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed and published for a six-week period of consultation, with any further amendments authorised by the Head of Planning and Building Control in consultation with the Leader of the Council;

(B)       the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to agree any Main Modifications to Chapter 13 – East of Welwyn Garden City;

(C)       the Sustainability Appraisal (January 2018) of the Main Modifications, as detailed at Essential Reference ‘C’ to the report submitted, be agreed for consultation, with any further amendments relating to Main Modifications to Chapter

13 – East of Welwyn Garden City, to be authorised by the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council; and

(D)      the Minor Changes to the East Herts District Plan, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘D’ to the report submitted, be noted and agreed, with any further additions authorised by the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council.