Agenda item

A report from the Chief Executive Officer- Place, Alistair Cunningham.

The Chairman invited the Cabinet Member for Spatial Planning, Development Management and Investment, Councillor Toby Sturgis, to present his report on the Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan. He detailed the years of progression of the plan, noting policy papers and advice that had been received.

The purpose of the plan was to allocate sites for the delivery of Core Strategy housing requirements set by government, and review settlement boundaries. All statutory consultations had taken place including additional ones for modifications to the plan. The Inspector had made additional suggested modifications which were then consulted upon as well. On 23 January 2020 the Inspector’s report concluded that the plan was sound and met all requirements of national policy. The Council could therefore adopt the plan in full as modified by the Inspector, or not adopting it. If the plan were rejected the Council could not proceed to adoption, putting the Council at risk as there would be no sound plan in place.

Councillor Sturgis noted that objections had been received and considered by the Inspector but that all issues had been through the process and the Inspector had said it was a sound and compliant plan. Councillor Sturgis detailed the modifications including deletion of sites at Market Lavington and Crudwell, and inclusion of a small site in Salisbury. Criteria to be met through the development management process were included, and the settlement boundaries had been stated to be logical, justified and soundly bases, consistent with plan objectives.

Councillor Sturgis also noted that it was possible the government would change the rules in relation to planning generally in the future. He also thanked officers for their work after many changes to government guidance and court judgements. It was noted that additional housing was still required and that the Inspector had stated these would be met with windfall sites.

Councillor Sturgis moved the proposals set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Bridget Wayman.

A statement was then received from a member of the public. Lou Barry made a statement regarding the natural resources of Wiltshire and carbon and other impacts of construction. A question was also received from Andrew Nicholson as detailed in the Agenda Supplement regarding £75m in grant funding from Homes England for a Chippenham Relief Road.

Councillor Sturgis clarified that land does not have to be allocated for development to be eligible for such grant funding, and the scheme proposed could deliver both transport and housing benefits and so was deemed worthy of the award. The drawing down of the grant would depend upon securing necessary permissions, including planning.

A statement was also received from Simon Tesler in relation to proposed development at Southwick Court, Trowbridge, and that he did not believe full consideration had been given to appropriate issues in relation to the site.

Comments were then received from Group Leaders, as follows:

Councillor Philip Whitehead noted the proposal was the conclusion of a very lengthy process which had been through various examinations and consultations and that rejecting the plan would have negative impacts in respect of development.

Councillor Ian Thorn noted comments in relation to individual sites, and that any future local plans did need to consider climate considerations appropriately.

Councillor Ernie Clark stated he could not support the proposals as in his view the Council supported too much housing in the Trowbridge area for the infrastructure that existed in the area in terms of road, rail and other facilities. He noted in particular the allocation for site H2.3 had almost doubled.

The debate was then opened to Members.

Comments in support of the proposal included that if the plan, which had been worked on for many years, was not adopted, developers have much more freedom to develop wherever they would like, in far less appropriate places. Although there were issues in some areas, the negatives for not adopting the plan were considerable.

Comments in opposition to the proposal included noting the risks of not approving a plan, but some considering that too much had already been conceded to developers in relation to green spaces around time. It was accepted more housing was needed, but it was considered that there was sufficient land within towns to meet allocation needs. It was also noted that some very large sites which had permission or were available had not been developed. Other comments noted that housing targets were set by government, but that piecemeal development on the edge of towns might not be suitable, with doubts on predictions of traffic impacts, and that a new town might be a more appropriate solution. Public opposition to some edge of town development was noted. Comments were made that sites in some areas could not be supported given local concerns.

Other comments included noting government announcements to open up sustainable transport options in the county including possibly Wilton Parkway, and additional funds to improve roads including Harnham gyratory, as examples to improve infrastructure.

Councillor Sturgis responded to comments made during debate. He commented on delays on delivery of some existing sites, council communications, traffic improvements, the complexities of deliverability and viability for any new town proposal, and he noted that even with increases in some sites for instance in Trowbridge there was still a deficit in housing requirement which would be filled through windfall. He stated that those who were unhappy with some sites needed to press developers on their concerns to lobby for improved developments.

It was then,

Resolved:

That Council:

(i)       Notes the content of the Inspector’s ‘Report on the Examination of the Wiltshire Site Allocations Plan’ (Appendix 1) and his conclusions regarding legal compliance and soundness.

(ii)      Accepts the Main Modifications set out in the Appendix to the Inspector’s Report, which the Inspector considers are necessary to make the plan sound in accordance with legislation.

(iii)     Agrees that additional minor modifications are made that arose during the examination or made in the interest of accuracy and consistency, as set out in Appendix 2.

(iv)     Adopts the ‘Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan Submission draft Plan (July 2018)’, as amended by the Main Modifications as set out at (ii) above and attached in Appendix 1 and additional minor modifications as set out in (iii) above and attached in Appendix 2, be adopted as part of the development plan for Wiltshire.

(v)      Delegates authority to the Director of Economic Development and Planning in consultation with the Director of Legal, Electoral and Registration Services and the Cabinet Member for Spatial Planning, Development Management and Investment for: the Policies Map to be amended in line with the Main Modifications as identified in Appendix 1 and the settlement boundaries, as set out in Appendix A of the ‘Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan Submission draft Plan (July 2018) and amended by the proposed changes made during the examination; and further minor textual changes to be made to the Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan prior to publication in the interests of accuracy and consistency.

(vi) Agrees that the Director of Economic, Development and Planning in consultation with the Director for Legal, Electoral and Registration Services, and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management and Investment, undertakes the final stages associated with the formal adoption and publication of the Wiltshire Site Allocations Plan.

In accordance with the Constitution this was a recorded vote.

Votes for the motion (63)

Votes against the motion (12)

Votes in abstention (1)

Details of each vote are attached to the minutes.