Issue - meetings

The Leader submitted a report recommending that the Executive support the District Plan.  She commented that, once adopted, the District Plan would be at the heart of the planning system and would help to shape future growth and development in East Herts.

The Plan presented an ambitious vision and framework for East Herts, which the Inspector had concluded to be sound.  The holding direction issued by the Secretary of State had served to reiterate the importance of having a Plan and to be able to demonstrate a five year land supply in order to deter speculative applications.

The Leader thanked Officers and all partners involved in the work undertaken to lift the holding direction.  She referred to a similar direction that had prevented Stevenage Council from adopting its Plan for nearly a year.  She committed the Council to continue to support them in their bid to lift the direction order.

In lifting the direction order for East Herts, the Secretary of State had confirmed the Plan as sound, positive and consistent with national planning policies.

The Leader referred to the importance of the masterplanning process that would be undertaken for all the strategic sites.  This would support the Plan and provide the framework to better manage development.  The adoption of the Plan would also provide certainty for residents, developers and partners.

The Leader acknowledged that for some residents and Members, the process had been challenging.  However, without a sound Plan, the challenges would have been far more difficult.

Finally, the Leader reiterated her appreciation to the Planning Policy team, including former employees who had taken their knowledge and experience elsewhere.  She also referred to the invaluable contribution of former Councillor Mike Carver, who had set the process in motion. 

The Leader commented that this was a sound and balanced Plan that should be commended to Council.

The Executive Member for Environment and the Public Realm also paid tribute to everyone involved in the production of the Plan and the work undertaken to lift the holding direction.

The Leader moved, and Councillor S Rutland-Barsby seconded, a motion that the recommendations now detailed, be supported.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

The Executive supported the recommendations now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the content of the Inspector’s Report (and associated Appendix detailing the Main Modifications) as set out in Essential Papers ‘B’ and ‘C’ of the report submitted, be noted; and

(B)       the East Herts District Plan as set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘E’ of the report submitted, incorporating the main modifications and minor changes as set out in Essential Reference Papers ‘C’ and ‘D’, be adopted.

As noted earlier in the meeting (Minute 166 refers), this item had been withdrawn.