Agenda item

Note – Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ enclosed separately.

The Panel considered a report seeking approval for the Draft East Herts District Plan (January 2014) for the purposes of public consultation for a period of twelve weeks.  The Panel was also asked to support the consultation strategy.

The Panel noted that work on the emerging District Plan had been ongoing since the issues and options consultation in 2010. The emerging Plan had been prepared in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance and informed by extensive background research and information.  This had included research on a range of topics, including housing delivery and supply, transport needs, infrastructure requirements, and economic development.  Work on the evidence base was ongoing throughout the Plan process and beyond, as it would be essential for the Council to maintain an up to date evidence base that informed the production, implementation and future review of the District Plan.

The Panel supported the following amendments:

·               page 27, paragraph 3.3.3 – delete “conform” and insert “have regard”.

·               page 27, paragraph 3.3.4 – delete “Firstly, the NPPF requires that objectively assessed housing needs should be met” and insert “The NPPF requires that every effort should be made objectively to identify and then meet the housing, business and other development needs of an area, and respond positively to wider opportunities for growth.”

·               page 30, policy DPS3, various alterations not affecting total numbers.

·               page 64, Figure 5.8, revised site location to be inserted.

·               page 107, paragraph 8.4.2, references to “High Street” should be replaced with “Bell Street”.

·               page 160, paragraph 13.9.3, The Stables, Bayfordbury – delete “6 pitches” and insert “5 pitches (with planning permission for an additional 3 pitches).”

In response to Members’ questions and comments, Officers undertook to review paragraph 5.1.8 in its description of the green corridor of the Stort.  In respect of the Ware chapter, Officers undertook to correct the photographs.  In relation to Chapter 12, Officers explained the rationale for arriving at the 5,000 – 10,000 new homes figure.

Officers advised that in respect of Chapter 22, a reference to Planning Practice Guidance for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy (DCLG, July 2013), had been added under section 22.4 to help clarify the Council’s position with regard to renewable and low carbon energy.

The Panel supported the proposals as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that the Draft East Herts District Plan (January 2014), as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report now submitted, be agreed and made available for public consultation for a period of twelve weeks, in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012;

(B)      the Consultation Strategy, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘F’ of the report now submitted, be agreed; and

(C)      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 Draft District Plan, prior to publication for consultation purposes.