Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth proposed the recommendations made by the Executive, as referred to in the Executive report of 19 February 2021, to adopt the Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Councillor Goodeve said that this had been a comprehensive piece of work and had received a huge number of responses from interested parties. The SPD would be carried forward for strategic sites and it would make an important impact moving forward. Councillor Wyllie seconded the recommendations.

Councillor Goldspink confirmed that the Liberal Democrat group was happy to support the recommendations. She complimented the idea of having a checklist for all applicants and developers so they would be able to see what the council’s agenda was and the improvements it would be looking for.

Councillors Beckett and Crystall congratulated the officers involved in producing the SPD.

The motion to support the recommendations, having been proposed and seconded, was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, it was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the responses to the consultation be noted and the officer responses and proposed changes to the Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be supported;

(B) That the Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), as detailed at Appendix A to this report, be agreed for adoption; and

(C) in accordance with the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 it has been determined that a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is not required as it is unlikely to have significant environmental effects beyond the District Plan policies.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth submitted a report outlining the results of the public consultation on the draft Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) ready for adoption which has been prepared to provide guidance on the implementation of adopted District Plan policies in relation to climate change and sustainable design and construction. Once adopted, it will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications and it will replace the Air Quality Planning Guidance 2016.

The Executive Member said that the Sustainability SPD was considered by the Executive last year prior to public consultation and the final document has been amended to reflect issues raised through the consultation process. There were 182 responses from 38 consultees and most were supportive of the scope and purpose of the SPD. Whilst the District Plan does not set specific energy targets, the focus of the SPD is to ensure policy requirements are implemented and encourages good practice and compliance with stronger energy targets. This SPD lays a strong marker down that the council expects high environment sustainability in new developments.

Councillor McAndrew thanked officers for their efforts with pulling together a difficult document. He said this was a good document in preparation for the District Plan review in two years and developers have a role to play in exceeding minimum expectations.

Councillor Goodeve proposed and Councillor McAndrew seconded a motion supporting the recommendations in the report. On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – To Recommend toCouncil
(a) That the responses to the consultation be noted and the officer responses and proposed changes to the Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be supported;

(b)That the Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), as detailed at Appendix A to this report, be agreed for adoption; and

(c) That in accordance with the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 it has been determined that a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is not required as it is unlikely to have significant environmental effects beyond the District Plan policies.