Issue - meetings

The recommendations of Cabinet are attached, followed by the report of the Director for Economy and Regeneration.  The Draft Plan is enclosed separately.

Public Participation

Mrs Neal, Clerk to Chitterne Parish Council addressed Council on the Plan in so far as the inclusion of land at Valley Farm, Chitterne was concerned. The Parish Council considered that the greenfield site in such a sensitive location should never have been considered for inclusion in the Plan and had made representations on this issue at every opportunity.

Cllr de Rhé-Philipe explained that whilst she had sympathy for the Parish Council’s position, the site having been put forward by the landowner had to be considered. She quoted from the Inspector’s Report which stated: ‘…the site has capacity to accommodate some waste management uses, within the limits defined by its allocation for local scale development.  It is not necessary therefore, that the site should be removed from the Plan in the interests of soundness’. She added that the use of the site would still be subject to planning approval.

----------------

Cllr Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, Cabinet member for Economic Development and Strategic Planning presented the recommendation from Cabinet dated 22 January 2013 that Council adopt the Wiltshire and Swindon Waste Site Allocations Local Plan incorporating the Inspector’s main modifications.

The report previously considered by Cabinet, the Plan itself as proposed and Planning Inspector’s Report were presented. The Plan presented the final element of the current waste planning policy framework for Wiltshire and Swindon.

The Planning Inspector’s Report, outlined that the Plan appropriately reflected national policy and the policy framework set out in the adopted Wiltshire and Swindon Waste Core Strategy (July 2009) and Waste Development Control Policies Development Plan Document (September 2009).

Councillors were advised that the Planning Inspector concluded that, subject to the inclusion of a limited number of main modifications, the submitted Plan was sound and should be adopted as soon as reasonably practicable. It was noted that Swindon Borough Council had resolved to formally adopt the Plan at its meeting on 17 January 2013.

Cllr de Rhé-Philipe explained the background to the development of the Plan and how over 100 potential waste sites had initially been considered for inclusion which had been subject to extensive assessment. The number of sites had during the course of development of the Plan now been reduced to 34 which represented the best and most deliverable options for future waste management development. All 34 sites would of course still be subject to the planning application process. Cllr de Rhé-Philipe paid tribute to the huge amount of detailed work carried out by officers to bring the Plan to this stage.

Cllr de Rhé-Philipe moved the adoption of the Plan and this was seconded by the Leader of the Council.

The Chairman opened the debate out initially to group leaders and then to all other Councillors. A number of concerns and comments were raised during debate both in general terms and site specific to Councillors’ respective divisions, to which Cllr de Rhé-Philipe responded.

In response to points on consultation and whether comments received during consultation had been fully acted upon, Cllr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10