Issue - meetings

RESOLVED – that (A) the Interim Development Strategy Report, January 2014, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform and support the East Herts District Plan; and

(B)   the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, be authorised to make non-material, and typographical corrections to the Interim Development Strategy Report and Essential Reference Papers, prior to publication for consultation purposes.

(see also Minute 493)

Minute 35 refers

The Executive considered and supported the recommendations of the District Planning Executive Panel, at its meeting held on 16 January 2014, on the Interim Development Strategy Report (January 2014).

In response to questions and comments by Members, the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport looked forward to receiving comments from the public and statutory consultees during the formal consultation period.  All comments received would be considered at the end of the consultation period.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the Interim Development Strategy Report, January 2014, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform and support the East Herts District Plan; and

(B)      the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, be authorised to make non-material, and typographical corrections to the Interim Development Strategy Report and Essential Reference Papers, prior to publication for consultation purposes.

(see also Minute 481)

The Panel considered a report on the Interim Development Strategy Report, which set out the justification of Part 1 of the District Plan.  The report was considered alongside the Strategy Worksheet, Key Diagram and the Frequently Asked Questions document, all of which were presented as Essential Reference Papers to the report now submitted.  These would all be available as part of the public consultation on the draft plan.

The Panel also received a presentation by Officers which gave an overview of the main influences.

Councillor G Jones made a number of comments in respect of the methodology of the population forecasts, the role of Neighbourhood Planning and the level of additional secondary schools provision in Bishop’s Stortford identified. He also questioned the fairness of the number of additional dwellings identified in Bishop’s Stortford, especially given the impact of potential development across the border in Uttlesford.

In response, Officers referred to the practical requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework in projecting population figures and the encouragement given to parish/town councils wishing to develop Neighbourhood Plans.  In respect of the continuing uncertainty of schools provision in Bishop’s Stortford, the draft Plan needed to retain flexibility.  Officers acknowledged that the housing numbers for Bishop’s Stortford were projected for the early period of the Plan, but a threshold would be reached when there would be no more capacity.

In response to a question from Councillor M Newman in respect of the “Broad Locations”, Officers referred to the phasing schedule which, given build rates and infrastructure lead-in times, indicated such development would not occur before 2022 as much work would still be needed.

In response to a question form Councillor J Jones, Officers clarified that the housing numbers shown for Buntingford included existing and completed units since 2011.  The outcome of an existing appeal was awaited and when known, might have an impact.

Officers also clarified what constituted a “windfall” allowance.

The Panel supported the proposals now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the Interim Development Strategy Report, January 2014, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform and support the East Herts District Plan; and

(B)   the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, be authorised to make non-material, and typographical corrections to the Interim Development Strategy Report and Essential Reference Papers, prior to publication for consultation purposes.