Issue - meetings

In order to facilitate delivery of the West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP), and to ensure an up-to-date planning policy framework for B&NES, the Council needs to prepare a new Local Plan.  The Local Plan will:

•  review the adopted Core Strategy; and

•  provide an opportunity to formally combine the adopted Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan.

The Local Plan will cover the period from 2016 – 2036. The first stage of preparing the new Local Plan is the options stage. This report seeks approval to publicise an options document for consultation.

[The appendix will be despatched under separate cover.]

The Council considered a report concerning the options stage of preparing the new Local Plan, seeking approval to publicise an options document for consultation.

On a motion from Councillor Bob Goodman, seconded by Councillor Paul Myers, it was

RESOLVED to

1.  Consider the comments of the Planning, Housing & Economic Development Scrutiny Panel held on 7th November;

2.  Agree the publication of the options document attached as Appendix 1 to the report for consultation;

3.  To agree the public consultation arrangements in para 8.3 of the report; and

4.  Delegate to the Divisional Director of Development, the authority to make minor changes to the options document in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods.

[Notes:

1.  The above successful resolution was carried with 51 Councillors voting in favour, 5 Councillors voting against and 2 abstentions.

2.  During debate, a point of order was raised by Councillor Robin Moss and seconded by Councillor Karen Warrington to move to the vote.  This was carried with 50 Councillors voting in favour, 7 Councillors voting against and 2 abstentions.]

This report seeks the comments of the Panel on a Local Plan options document for public consultation.

The Group Manager for Policy & Environment introduced this report to the Panel. He explained that in order to facilitate delivery of the West of England Joint Spatial Plan, and to ensure an up-to-date planning policy framework for B&NES, the Council needs to prepare a new Local Plan.

He stated that the Local Plan is therefore being prepared:

·  in the context of and to deliver the Joint Spatial Plan; and

·  to respond to changed local circumstances and new national policy and legislation.

·  to encompass a development strategy to guide  site allocations to meet development requirements, identify and facilitate delivery of associated infrastructure requirements; and

·  to include district-wide Development Management policies for determining planning applications.

He said that the options document marks the start of the consultation and that the purpose of the options stage is to facilitate and encourage discussion and comment around the key issues facing B&NES and to test possible solutions to address these issues. He added that the consultation is being divided into phases, the first phase (comprising two periods of consultation) will be a discussion around options and the second phase will be consultation on the preferred approach. He stated that the options document covers four main areas:

·  Vision & Priorities – outlining the key challenges facing B&NES and spatial priorities that the Local Plan should address

• Strategy – within the context of the Joint Spatial Plan starting the conversation about possible alternative approaches to providing additional homes  to be  provided in strategic development locations

·  Strategic Development Locations – presenting the emerging proposed approach to development at the strategic locations at North Keynsham and Whitchurch and raising key questions & issues for discussion

·  Student accommodation – as a key element of housing need initial consideration of University expansion and possible approaches to providing student accommodation that will need to be considered within the context of the other development pressures and the strategy for Bath

He informed the Panel that consultation on these issues will take place over a seven week period in parallel with that on the Joint Spatial Plan, commencing on 22nd November 2017 and ending on 10th January 2018. He said that the consultation will be supported by publication of the options document, a range of publicity and staffed exhibitions/drop-in events at key locations.

He said that a second options consultation will be undertaken in the spring of next year. This will be supported by the publication of an options document which will be brought to Members for consideration prior to consultation.

The Chairman said that comments from the Panel would be fed into the Council debate on November 9^th and he asked that they consider not only the options document but the proposed consultation arrangements.

Councillor Liz Richardson questioned the ratio of exhibition dates, three in North East Somerset and one in Bath, and suggested that one further date be added for Bath.

The Group Manager for Policy & Environment replied that they have attempted to arrange a cross section of events and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32