Agenda item

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 schools provision, especially in the light of the population increase.

Councillor Cherry Beath felt that the Concept Statements were robust and that they had benefitted from the public consultation.  She wanted to see positive and distinctive aspects to each site, and emphasised that it was crucial for each site to integrate fully within the city and its surrounding community.

Councillor Beath asked the proposer and seconder to consider an amendment to the effect that an extra point would be added at the end of the Planning Obligations sections in all three Concept Statements, to read: “Financial contribution towards provision of replacement employment provision to be allocated within the Bath area”.

The proposer and seconder of the motion accepted the amendment.

Councillor Roger Symonds said that it was not clear how the Council could influence the development.  He agreed with others that integration of the Foxhill development into the nearby community would be crucial.  He emphasised the loss of jobs in the Foxhill area as a result of the MoD closure.  He also agreed that a school must be provided in Combe Down, not least for local families but also to ensure the viability of the local shops.

Councillor Tim Ball thanked all the speakers for their contributions.  He felt that it would be essential to protect both housing and employment on the 3 sites.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Ball, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To ENDORSE the amended Concept Statements for Development Control purposes and for incorporation into the Placemaking Plan Options; and

(2) To AGREE that an extra point be added to all three of the Concept Statements at the end of the Planning Obligations sections, to read: “Financial contribution towards provision of replacement employment provision to be allocated within the Bath area”.

[Note: Clause (2) above was the result of an amendment proposed by Councillor Cherry Beath and accepted by Councillors Tim Ball and Paul Crossley]