Agenda item

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 would review the possibility of one additional date.

Councillor Barry Macrae asked if the residents of Keynsham and Whitchurch would be able to comment on Plans associated with Bristol or would there be a joint consultation.

The Group Manager for Policy & Environment replied that two consultations will take place, one in relation to the B&NES Local Plan and one regarding the West of England JSP where interested parties can comment on the whole plan.  He said that officers would be as clear as possible in relation to the two consultations.

Councillor Macrae urged officers to make the message as clear as possible.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien agreed with the comment made by Councillor Macrae that the difference between the two Plans must be explained to the members of the public.

Councillor Barry Macrae said that he wanted officers to think carefully about how to encourage feedback from the public on the types of housing that were required in the future replacing the report’s present focus upon only total B&NES houses/unit numbers.

The Group Manager for Policy & Environment replied that officers hope the phased approach will aid in the number of public responses. He added that officers do recognise that some areas of B&NES will not agree with the Plans, but wished to assure them that officers will continue to work with local communities.

The Chairman asked how many stakeholders were on their current database and how the two mail-outs proposed would be distributed.

The Team Manager for Planning Policy replied that around 3,800 organisations, groups or individuals were on their database and that they would be contacted by either e-mail or letter. He added that information would also be supplied via press releases, the Council’s website and other media outlets, including the Together magazine that is circulated to all households.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien wished to encourage the use of local papers to also raise awareness.

Councillor Barry Macrae asked how the potential shortfall of student accommodation would be addressed. He added that he welcomed the further work in this area.

The Senior Planning Officer replied that the Options consultation document asks views on potential options to facilitate further growth if the Universities do expand.  She said that discussions were ongoing and that it was important to support development whilst also finding a balance to their growth and meeting the needs for wider Council objectives.

The Chairman asked why there is currently no consideration of student accommodation required across the whole Local Plan period to 2036.

The Senior Planning Officer replied that the Universities work within five year plans which is why the current figures are considered more realistic and reasonable at this stage. She added that for the past three years the intake figures for the University of Bath undergraduate courses have been at the same level, therefore the lower growth figures will be considered too.

The Team Manager for Planning Policy added that the Council will review the Local Plan around every 5 years and at that time would discuss any aspirations the Universities have and how / if they can be accommodated in order to ensure implications on the City and the rest of the District are properly considered.

The Chairman commented that if there was an increase in the number of students we would also need to bear in mind the effect this would also have on their staff levels, including cleaning and security, and the effect on our transport system.

He thanked the officers on behalf of the Panel for their report and the Members for their comments made during the debate.