Agenda item

At its meeting on 13th March 2012, the panel considered an update report on the draft MoD site Concept Statements.  Since then the Cabinet has agreed the draft Concept Statements for the redevelopment of the MoD sites at Ensleigh, Foxhill and Warminster Road in Bath. The Panel also considered the proposals for public consultation.  The Concept Statements are now undergoing a broad public consultation exercise and the Panel is now being asked for its views on the Concept Statements before they are reported back to Cabinet for endorsement in July.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer introduced this item to the Panel. He informed them that two public events had been held with regard to the Foxhill site and that the documents had been well received. He added that the key issues coming forward were that Combe Down Primary School were wishing to have a split site for the school and the question as to whether a local shop was required on the site. He also mentioned that public events in relation to the Warminster Road site were due to take place later this week on Thursday and Saturday.

The Chairman asked if aspects of this report should be seen by the Early Years, Children & Youth Panel.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer replied that he would be happy to do that if required.

Councillor Ian Gilchrist asked if he had personally visited the pathway known locally as ‘Blind Lane’ as he was informed by a resident that it was not suitable for pedestrians or cyclists.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer replied that he had discussed the matter with a number of residents and visited the route on a number of occasions. He added that it would not necessarily become a cycle route.

Councillor David Martin spoke with regard to the Warminster Road site. He spoke of the need for a school and local shop on the site and called for the site to be sustainable. He asked if the sale of the sites had been through the Placemaking Plan process.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer replied that they all have to be taken through the rigorous Placemaking Plan process.

Councillor Malcolm Hanney suggested that the Council looks closely at what elements of the New Homes Bonus might be allocated to support overall sustainability of the developments and linkages with relevant communities i.e. beyond the funding we should reasonably expect to come from the developments directly.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer replied that he would report that back to the Cabinet.

Councillor Charles Gerrish asked if Sport England had been engaged with regarding the playing fields at Kingswood School as he believed they were in the ownership of the Methodist Church and not the School.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer replied that the Council’s Business Development Manager had been in contact with Sport England regarding this matter.

The Chairman asked if the MoD sites were ever considered as a possible solution for any of the Gypsies & Travellers sites.

The Policy & Environment Manager replied that the Council had already made a decision on the MoD sites through the Core Strategy process and allocated these sites to cater for its general needs Housing allocation to avoid the loss of Green Belt land.

The Chairman asked what building materials would be used in the construction of the new homes.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer replied that all homes are due to be built to the Code Level 4 standard and will attempt to incorporate elements of Code Level 5 & 6.

The Chairman asked what the Council could do to reduce the impact of the removal of a number of trees on the Ensleigh site.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer replied that they could encourage that further trees be planted on the site.

Councillor David Martin asked how the statements had been received by local bodies, such as the MoD themselves, British Waterways and Network Rail.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer replied that he would need to check in relation to British Waterways and Network Rail. He added that the MoD were broadly supportive of the statements.

Councillor Douglas Nicol stated that he felt that carbon neutrality should be encouraged across all sites.

Ian Barclay, a member of the public, asked if Backstone Field was to be involved in the scheme.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer replied that it was not currently within the concept statement.

The Chairman requested that the Panel receives the Placemaking Plan at a future meeting.

The Policy & Environment Manager replied that the Cabinet were due to receive an options report in either November or December this year. He added that he would also like to have a discussion with the Chairman and the Vice-Chair as to what future items the Panel could debate in the future.

The Panel RESOLVED to ask that their comments from this meeting be passed to the Cabinet.