Issue - meetings

The Inspector has completed her examination of the B&NES Placemaking Plan and has concluded that the submitted Placemaking Plan can be made sound, subject to a schedule of ‘main modifications’ (attachment 1).  The Council now needs to consider and decide whether it accepts the Inspector’s recommendations thereby enabling it to formally adopt the Placemaking Plan. There are also a number of minor modifications, some of which arise from the Inspector’s modifications, which are needed to ensure consistency and clarity.

The Council considered the Inspector’s examination of the B&NES Placemaking plan and a number of recommended modifications.

Robin Kerr, Chairman of the Federation of Bath Resident’s Associations, made a statement regarding student housing and transport.  A full copy of Robin’s statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and linked to the online minutes.  Councillor Bob Goodman asked Robin if he considered the proposed reduction in HMOs from 25% to 10% to be the right decision to re-balance the effects of student housing on the community, to which Robin responded that he did and that it was in line with the national HMO lobby, however; it didn’t address purpose built student accommodation, which they had asked to be included.  He added that Universities needed to be asked to stop increasing student numbers.  Councillor Tim Ball asked if Robin considered this plan to be fit for purpose, in the light of the criticisms he had raised.  Robin responded that he had no wish to delay adoption of the Plan but that a rapid Core Strategy review was needed.

On a motion from Councillor Bob Goodman, seconded by Councillor Les Kew, it was

RESOLVED

1.  To accept the main modifications listed in attachment 1, which the Inspector considers are needed to make the Plan sound in accordance with section 20 (5) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended);

2.  To agree the Minor Modifications listed in attachment 2 to the B&NES Placemaking plan, which are needed to ensure clarity, consistency and factual accuracy in the Plan;

3.  To adopt the B&NES Placemaking Plan (Local Plan Part 2) as modified in (1) and (2) above, including for the purposes of section 38(6) of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act;

4.  To agree the B&NES Policies Map is amended in line with (1) and (2) above;

5.  To acknowledge that the adopted Supplementary Planning Documents/Guidance listed in attachment 3 should supplement the B&NES Development Plan; and

6.  To delegate responsibility to the Divisional Director for Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Development, to make minor textual amendments to the Placemaking Plan prior to publication.

[Notes;

1.  The above resolution was carried with 39 Councillors voting in favour, 13 against and 5 abstentions.

2.  Following this item, a five minute adjournment was taken.]