Agenda item

Gilston Area Supplementary Planning Document - final for adoption

Decision:

Recommended to Council that

 

a)                The responses of the consultation be noted and the officer responses and proposed changes to the Gilston Area Charter Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be supported.

 

b)               The Gilston Area Charter Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), as detailed in Appendix C of this report, be approved for adoption;

 

c)                 In accordance with the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004, it has been determined that a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the emerging Gilston Area Charter Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is not required as it is unlikely to have significant environmental effects; and

 

d)               That the Head of planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Growth, be authorised to make any further minor changes to the document which may be necessary.

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Haysey submitted a report outlining the results of the public consultation on the draft Gilston Area Charter Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).  The report sought agreement to adopt a revised document.  The report also stated that the three statutory consultees had no comment on the Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Report. 

 

Councillor Haysey said this SPD would establish the principles of masterplanning for the Gilston area.  During the next 10 to 15 years, 10,000 homes would be developed.  She was adamant that the quality of design of these homes would be exemplary.  The SPD would set standards for developers.  The SPD had been out for consultation and a number of comments to improve the document had been incorporated.  She invited Councillor E Buckmaster to speak. 

 

Councillor E Buckmaster said he wished to speak both as the Ward Member for the area, and the Executive Member for Wellbeing.  He had been involved in a group which had helped to develop the SPD.  He referred to the key words in the report regarding adopting the SPD, through a comprehensive and consistent manner.  It was very important that the development would knit together with the existing landscape and communities.  He referred to the importance of treating this as one strategic site as part of the masterplan.  Modifications had been incorporated from responses to the consultation, including the site promoters, and the paper had been shared with the neighbourhood plan group, from whom no comments had been received. 

 

Councillor Haysey proposed a motion to support the recommendations.  Councillor Buckmaster seconded the motion.

 

Councillor Page said the Council’s masterplans were commendable, and he recognised that much work had gone into producing the report.  He expressed concern in respect of one aspect, affordable housing.  He asked that a way of strengthening the affordable housing programme be identified, to demand a robust financial viability assessment, particularly in view of the current Covid-19 impact on house prices. 

 

Councillor Haysey agreed it was a major concern.  It was important to recognise the extremely valuable role played by key workers during the Covid-19 crisis, who were not necessarily able to afford the house prices in the district’s area. This concern would be the subject of careful and ongoing consideration. 

 

Councillor Boylan said he was anticipating the report on the future of affordable housing for the district would be published by the early Autumn.  He said in terms of planning policy frameworks, the Council had already adopted the Affordable Housing SPD. 

 

Councillor Buckmaster said the largest site promoter in respect of the Gilston Area had made clear their intention to have provision of affordable homes. 

 

The motion being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – to recommend to Council that (A) the responses of the consultation be noted and the officer responses and proposed changes to the Gilston Area Charter Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be supported;

 

(B)        The Gilston Area Charter Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), as detailed in Appendix C of this report, be approved for adoption;

 

(C)        In accordance with the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004, it has been determined that a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the emerging Gilston Area Charter Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is not required as it is unlikely to have significant environmental effects; and

 

(D)       That the Head of planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Growth, be authorised to make any further minor changes to the document which may be necessary.

Supporting documents: