Agenda and minutes

The Panel considered a report on the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of the Strategic Spatial Options for the West Essex and East Hertfordshire Housing Market Area (HMA).

Members were reminded that the Council had been working with Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford District Councils through the Duty to Co-operate to identify the objectively assessed needs of the HMA and to explore options for meeting these needs across the HMA.  Part of this work had involved undertaking a Sustainability Appraisal style assessment of the range of growth and locational options for delivering new housing.  A draft of this assessment had been used to inform each Authority’s formal Sustainability Appraisals and was now presented in its final form, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted.

The Panel supported the recommendation as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that the Sustainability Appraisal of the Strategic Spatial Options for the West Essex and East Hertfordshire Housing Market Area as detailed at Essential Reference ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed as part of the evidence base to support the East Herts District Plan.

The Panel gave consideration to a report presenting the Interim Duty to Co-operate Compliance Statement.  The Statement identified how the Council had engaged with neighbouring authorities and other organisations throughout the plan making process in order to address strategic cross boundary issues.

In response to Members’ comments and questions, Officers advised that Hertfordshire County Council’s “2015 Vision” had been published and a web link to the document would be sent to all Members.  A report on this matter would also be submitted to the Executive meeting in December 2016.

Officers also explained that dialogue with all neighbouring authorities, and not just those in the Strategic Housing Market Assessment area, had taken place throughout the plan-making process.  Although Stansted Airport was not a statutory consultee, Officers had been and continued to be in regular dialogue.

The Panel supported the recommendation as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that the Interim Duty to Co-operate Compliance Statement be agreed in support of the Pre-Submission District Plan.

The Panel considered an Interim Consultation Statement which would form a companion document to the East Herts District Plan Pre-Submission Version, 2016, for consultation purposes.  This Statement had been prepared in interim form, in order to comply with the requirements of Regulation 19 and Regulation 22 (1) part (c) of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.  A final Consultation Statement would be prepared once the Council was in a position to include reference to any representations made under Regulation 20, at the end of the Pre-Submission Consultation. 

The Panel supported the recommendation as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that the Interim Consultation Statement, as detailed at Essential Reference ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed as a companion document to the East Herts District Plan, Pre-Submission Version, 2016, for consultation purposes.

Note – Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to follow.

The Panel considered a report presenting Air Quality Planning Guidance, which had been prepared to support the East Herts District Plan and to assist in the Development Management process.  The guide was intended to provide clarity and consistency by confirming how the Council would assess planning applications in relation to air quality.

Chapter 24 of the Draft District Plan addressed air quality issues and the Panel was reminded that Policy EQ4 Air Quality required development and land uses to minimise potential impacts on local air quality and be supported by an Air Pollution Assessment in line with the Council’s Air Quality Planning Guidance Document.  Policy EQ4 Air Quality further required developments within a designated Air Quality Management Area, or which may impact on these areas, to have regard to the Council’s latest strategy and action plan for the reduction of pollutants.  Evidence of mitigation measures was required.  To this end, the Council had prepared an Air Quality Planning Guidance, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted.

Officers responded to Members’ comments submitted in advance of the meeting as well as those at the meeting.  It was confirmed that the maps at Appendix 1 had been omitted and would be included in the final document.  Officers also explained that section 106 contributions could be used for air quality issues and cited the example of Bishop’s Stortford North where £20k had been earmarked for air quality monitoring and mitigation measures.

In respect of major developments and air quality, Officers also clarified that the cumulative impact of a development application would need to be considered in terms of making a judgement on the additional harm caused.  Reference was also made to sustainable transport policies, which would look at measures such as green travel plans, car sharing, etc.

The Panel supported the recommendation as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that the Air Quality Planning Guidance, October 2016, as now submitted, be agreed as guidance to inform Development Management decisions.

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor G Jones.

The Panel Chairman welcomed Members, Officers and the public and reminded everyone that the meeting was being webcast.  She advised that the order of the agenda would be changed so that the item on Air Quality Planning Guidance, October 2016, would be considered first.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 15 September 2016.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.