Agenda item

This report updates the Planning, Transport and Environment Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel on the preparation of Concepts Statements for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) sites at Ensleigh, Foxhill and Warminster Road in Bath.  This is in response to their proposed redevelopment in light of the MoD’s announcement of their forthcoming disposal.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport introduced this item to the Panel. He informed them that the Concept Statements are the first stage in the preparation of the Council’s Placemaking Plan (Site Allocations DPD) and their preparation will be subject to the initial stages of a statutory Plan preparation, including public consultation. This would provide sufficient planning weight to provide a basis for on-going discussions with developers. 

He explained that members need to understand the relevance of these proposals and that if these sites do not achieve their housing potential other sites will need to be pursued. He added that each site must be an appropriate development and perform its stated function.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer added that it was likely that officers would need to report back again to the Panel in May to show them the actual Concept Statements themselves. He informed the Panel that the sale of the sites was likely to start in the Summer of 2012, with completion anticipated in March 2013.

Councillor David Martin spoke of how the Warminster Road site was within his ward and that he had been pleased with his discussions so far with officers on the matter. He stated that the consultation process would be very important towards achieving the outcomes that the Council wishes. He then made some points that he felt should be included within the statements, they were as follows:

Provision of school places

Sustainability – District heating / CHP

Development – Use sustainable designs (CO2 saving)

Sustainable Transport

He asked to what extent the statements would have a weight on the planning process.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer replied that all of Councillor Martin’s points were already part of the Concept Statements. Schools will either need to be provided on site or at a nearby location. He added that whilst the Concept Statements will not hold significant planning weight, they will inform the Placemaking Plan, which is intended to be adopted as part of the Council’s statutory development plan. A stakeholder consultation will be carried out on the Concept Statements.

Councillor Neil Butters informed the Panel that he lived within a mile of the Foxhill site and that he welcomed the prospect of the development of the site. He asked how much consideration had been given to the impact of current staff having to travel to Filton.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that he was not actively engaged on that element of the process. He stated that the MoD had been considering site movement for some time. He suggested that Councillor Butters may wish to contact the MoD directly, but advised that they may not be in a position to share the information.

Councillor Douglas Nicol asked if the Green Housing element of the Core Strategy could be enforceable on the sites.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer replied yes, once adopted.

Councillor Malcolm Hanney asked if within the statements the figure of 20% as mentioned below could also be represented as an actual number of houses.

• the three sites generate circa 20% of Bath’s housing requirement within the Draft Core Strategy in the period up to 2026.

He added that he would like to see any funds accrued through the New Homes Bonus to be used to enhance the community and not be placed into a central pot.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport stated that there were certain benefits that could be achieved from Government if authorities were willing to show their ability to grow. He added that the Core Strategy figures were challenging and that the New Homes Bonus was not ring fenced.

The Chairman asked what the chances were of the MoD changing their opinion on site development.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that the Council’s position is clear and that there should be no doubt within the public domain as to what you wish to achieve regarding these sites.

The Panel RESOLVED to note that;

i)  the Council’s planning requirements for the MoD sites will be set out in Concept Statements for each site prior to their disposal in March 2013.

ii)  these Planning requirements must reflect the Council’s corporate objectives 

iii)  the timetable for preparation of the Concept Statements reflects the disposal programme and entails public consultation for a 6 week period during April and May and endorsement in July 2012. 

iv)  the three sites generate circa 20% of Bath’s housing requirement within the Draft Core Strategy in the period up to 2026.

v)  the Planning, Transport and Environment PDS Panel will have the opportunity to comment on the emerging Concept Statements at its meeting in May.

The Panel also gave their approval to the process as set out above.