Agenda item

Note – Essential Reference Paper ‘D’ enclosed.

The Panel considered a Settlement Appraisal for the Gilston Area, together with a proposed new chapter, for subsequent incorporation into the final draft District Plan and a first draft of the Concept Framework. 

Officers advised that the Gilston Area would now be allocated for 10,000 homes along with supporting infrastructure and it was likely that approximately 3,000 dwellings would be provided in the plan period with the remainder being delivered after 2033.

Members were reminded of plans for a new junction 7a for the M11 as well as planned improvements to existing M11 junctions 7 and 8 and the Amwell roundabout.  Councillor E Buckmaster acknowledged the concerns of residents and referred to his expectations regarding one of the largest areas included in the draft District Plan.

Officers responded to a number of comments from Members regarding infrastructure delivery and open space provision.  The Chairman referred to the transfer of open spaces to community trusts as a secure method of maintaining larger open spaces and ensuring they wouldn’t be built on.  The Panel supported the recommendation as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) Gilston Area  Settlement Appraisal, as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed; and

(B) the draft revised Chapter 11 (The Gilston Area), as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ to the report submitted, be agreedas a basis for inclusion in the final draft District Plan, with the content being finalised when the consolidated plan was presented in September 2016; and

(C)   the Gilston Area Concept Framework, as detailed at Essential Reference ‘D’ to the report submitted, be agreed as a first draft, with further work to take place in consultation with local communities, in order to prepare of final version prior to Submission of the District Plan in March 2017.