Issue - meetings

Councillor Matt McCabe, Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Sustainable Development and Richard Daone, Deputy Head of Planning (Policy) introduced the report and gave a presentation which covered the following:

·  BANES Local Plan Options

·  Local Plan Purpose and Scope

·  Local Plan Spatial Priorities

·  Structure of Options Document

·  Housing and Employment need

·  Map – showing location of site options for consultation

·  Development Management Policy Options

·  Local Plan Preparation Programme

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Hounsell asked if the Cabinet Member was satisfied that a suitable amount of brownfield sites have been used and asked if Charmey Down Airfield site been considered. The officer stated that a lot of work has been done regarding brownfield sites – the vast majority of housing is on brownfield sites. The initial view is that we will need some greenfield options. Regarding Charmey Down, the officer explained that this was in the green belt and also in the Cotswalds Area landscape and so would be controversial. The owners are Wessex Water.

Councillor Hounsell asked if sufficient sites are being consulted on. The officer stated that a wide range of sites are being consulted on – this is just the list of the large site options. He explained that a proportion of our growth arises through students, so student accommodation reduces the need for general accommodation.

Councillor Hughes stated that some of his residents are struggling to engage with the consultation (the extended time is appreciated). He has concerns that the feedback will not be a true picture. The officer stated that it is difficult to get representative engagement – there have been a mixture of drop in events in relevant places and videos on the website etc. Efforts have been made to make the information accessible, over 2,000 comments have been received and there are still over 3 weeks left.

Councillor Beaumont added that many of his elderly residents have struggled to access online consultation and asked if forms can be provided in the future. The officer stated that the Council is moving towards online based consultations. He accepted the comment about forms but added that the system of collecting and analysing feedback has to be efficient. Councillor Wait stated that Councillor MacFie is producing paper forms for his ward.

Councillor Leach stated that ‘reducing emissions’ is clearly the priority in the report where it should be ‘climate resilience’ in his view. He stated that future climate consideration should be built into the planned developments. The Cabinet Member stated that Wessex Water have raised the issue of extra water falling in the future and where it will go. He explained that he is looking to reduce emissions in the supply chain but there is a delicate balance to tread – the plan will be reviewed in 5 years so updates can be made. Councillor Leach stated that he agreed we should be driving to net zero but we need to make sure developments will be habitable in the future  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62

The report sets out the proposed Local Plan options for public consultation and the arrangements for public consultation scheduled to start in February 2024.  It also seeks changes to the Council’s Local Development Scheme (LDS) which is the Council’s programme for the preparation and review of planning policies.

Cllr Matt McCabe introduced the report, moved the officer recommendation, and made the following statement:

“Every 20 years a Local Authority gets to set a new Local Plan. This sets out the policies by which all planning decisions will be made. It also sets out where new housing will be built, what type it will be and where land will be designated for other needs, such as employment.

Today we are considering the Options Document. This primarily sets out the potential areas that could be allocated for house building, employment and renewable energy, as well as many areas of development management policy. This marks a considerable amount of effort on behalf of officers over the past year, for which I am very grateful.

It is also informed by, and will help to deliver, our Corporate Strategy and our Economic Strategy.

This huge piece of work began over a year ago, when we began talking to residents and stakeholders. It has been going through our all-party Local Development Framework Steering Group. It is worth noting that many Council Administrations do not bother to consult with other parties on the development of a new Local Plan, So, it is to the credit of all administrations here in BANES that we, as a Council, do. It is something that I am keen to maintain.

What this means is that all political groups have had the opportunity to take part in the drafting of this material, albeit on a confidential basis. So, all groups have been able to submit their initial thoughts, in advance of the public consultation.

This options document is what we are intending to put out for consultation to residents and other parties. The results of this consultation will inform the draft of our New Local Plan, and we will put that out for consultation later in the year.

There is also another timing element to consider. One of the key factors locally is the Strategic lead taken by the West of England Combined Authority, in terms of Planning for the Economy, Transport and Housing right across our region. Unfortunately, in an effort to seemingly qualify as the worst Mayor in the country, Mayor Dan Norris pulled WECA out of this regionally significant role.

This has left the four authorities rushing to complete new Local Plans, because that strategic overview is now missing. We are having to work closely with each other to try and achieve this regional co-ordination. Remember - not having a valid Local Plan in place, creates a free for all for developers. Hence the urgency. Luckily for BANES we prepared our partial update, which we completed a year ago, and it has given us a more up to date plan than our neighbouring authorities. However, this has also left us slightly behind them in preparing a new Local Plan, covering the longer term.

So, what have been our main drivers?

Well, we want to create a fairer, more prosperous and sustainable economy.

We want to maximise the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55