Issue - meetings

Council considered the recommendation from the Executive on the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Stewardship Objectives and Principles. 

Councillor L Haysey proposed, and Councillor E Buckmaster seconded, a motion that the recommendations, as detailed below, be approved. 

Councillor M Goldspink said the Liberal Democrat Group largely supported these proposals, in that they provided community cohesion and environmental sustainability.

Councillor J Dumont said he had continued to receive representations from his Ward residents expressed concerns regarding the Gilston proposals.  He referred to a letter from the Council received by residents inviting them to a consultation, which had unfortunately not been clear. 

Councillor L Haysey asked that he send a copy of the letter to her, and said she would be happy to talk to residents in Councillor Dumont’s ward.  The proposals had been taken through the District Plan process and would be subject to extensive consultation as part of the Masterplanning Framework.  Nearly half of the site within Gilston would be left as open space, and the aim was to build communities, not just houses. 

The motion being put to the meeting and a vote taken, it was declared CARRIED. 

RESOLVED - that the Stewardship objectives and principles, relating to development proposals coming forward as part of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, be endorsed.

The Executive considered a report submitted by the Leader of the Council on the Stewardship objectives and principles in relation to the development coming forward at the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town (HGGT). 

The Leader said the objectives and principles for the HGGT Vision were high level guidelines for standards, and reflected the need for that development to be informed by the Town and Country Planning Association Garden City principles.   The stewardship work that was being undertaken now, in relation to the Garden Town, could provide the basis of guidelines for other sites across the District.

Councillor E Buckmaster agreed that the principles and objectives would ensure a consistent approach.  The focus was on community cohesion, environmental sustainability and community wellbeing.  The guidelines could be adapted as necessary.  Speaking as the local Ward Member he looked forward to the community being at the heart of the stewardship objectives.  It was important that the stewardship guidelines should work as intended. 

The Leader supported these comments.  She moved, and Councillor E Buckmaster 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. 

RECOMMENDED – that the Stewardship objectives and principles, relating to development proposals coming forward as part of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, be endorsed.