Issue - meetings

Endorsement of Concept Statements to guide redevelopment of MoD sites following public consultation as the first part of the Placemaking Plan

Matthew Wheeldon (Governor, Combe Down Primary School)  in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 7 and on the Council's website] made some proposals, relating to primary school provision, which he felt would bring major benefits for the communities of Foxhill and Combe Down.  He asked Cabinet to ensure that future developers did not make decisions about the provision of education in these communities.

Jo Davis (GVA Planning Consultants on behalf of Skanska)  in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 27 and on the Council's website] made comments relating to the problems of phased delivery, the delivery of education, and environmental impact.  She said that her clients took the view that the Concept Statements would prohibit a commercially viable redevelopment from delivering the required community infrastructure

Alan Langton (Trustee, Bath Preservation Trust) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 8 and on the Council's website] said that the Trust was very pleased that many of the points they had raised had been incorporated into the latest draft.  He emphasised the concerns that the housing potential must not be overstated, or else the sites would lose quality and amenity when developed.  He recommended a switch to low rise, high density housing for the Ensleigh site.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones in an ad hoc statement reminded Cabinet that he had previously said that the Ensleigh Concept statement was not sustainable.  He had now read the submission from the Bath Preservation Trust and was confirmed in his view.

Councillor John Bull in an ad hoc statement expressed concern at recent successful attempts by developers to reduce the affordable housing element from 30% to 25% or even 20%.  He said that the Labour Group wanted to avoid this and encouraged the Cabinet to stand firm on this requirement.

Nigel Dann, a resident of Foxhill, in an ad hoc statement agreed with Councillor Bull.  He felt that most developers would try to wriggle out of the parts of the statements which would be beneficial to the local community.  He therefore wanted to see a master plan which would prevent this from happening.

Councillor Tim Ball in proposing the item, observed that the proposals did not constitute a Supplementary Planning Document.  They were concept statements.  He reminded those present that the Council did not own the 3 portions of land in question.  He agreed with Councillor Bull that the Council must stand firm on the 35% affordable housing requirement, despite recent government statements about this.

He referred to the comments made about sustainability and the environmental impact and promised to take into account all the submissions received.

He also promised to give consideration to the need for education places, especially given the recent mini population boom.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal.  He agreed that the provision of 35% social housing on the sites would be crucial.  He promised that Cabinet would carefully consider the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59