Agenda item

Councillor Fleur de Rhe-Philipe presented a report which sought approval for: the format and approach for the Wiltshire Core Strategy (WCS) Consultation Document, including proposed Core Policies to be included, and arrangements for public consultation.

Given the Government’s clear intention to abolish Regional Spatial Strategies and Wiltshire Council’s responsibility for establishing the right level of jobs and homes within the area and the context of the emerging Localism agenda, an additional stage of full public consultation is proposed.

The purpose of undertaking further consultation at this stage of the process is to allow public engagement on the proposed:

• Employment land to deliver jobs and number of homes required for Wiltshire over the period 2006 to 2026;
• Spatial Strategy for Wiltshire to deliver this growth and ensure sustainable development takes place;
• Strategies for Community Areas (outside of South Wiltshire), including proposals for employment land and homes at the main settlements; and
• Core Policies relating to other matters such as affordable housing and design of new developments.

In addition, comment will be sought from infrastructure providers and other stakeholders to develop the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) and determine what infrastructure will be necessary to support the draft proposals and assess their deliverability. The IDP will be needed to inform the development of a Charging Schedule for the Community Infrastructure Levy.

The Consultation Document will form the basis for the development of a draft Core Strategy for Wiltshire. The proposals it contains would need to undergo further refinement and development, taking into account new evidence as it emerges, including responses arising from the consultation, before it can be fully developed as a sound draft Core Strategy for Wiltshire.

Cllr Tonge, Cabinet member for Highways and Transport explained his concerns for Lacock and suggested a meeting of interested parties to consider proposals and the impact on Lacock in more detail. Cllr Fleur de Rhe Philipe was happy for such a meeting to be arranged.

A discussion ensued during which Councillors made general comments on the WCS and in particular on their own respective divisional areas to which Cllr de Rhe Philipe replied.

Cllr de Rhe Philipe explained that the whole emphasis of the Core Strategy was to ensure provision of employment and housing opportunities in the County. She also added that the stronger the Strategy was, the easier it would be to control unwanted and inappropriate development.

The Service Director for Economy and Enterprise explained the Neighbourhood Planning process and confirmed that the Council had received funding for two areas which would be used for Warminster and Wootton Bassett.

Cabinet’s attention was drawn to additional core policies in respect of transport which would need including in the list of core policies as listed in Appendix 5 of the report presented.

Resolved:

That Cabinet

i)              aproves the format and approach for the Wiltshire Core Strategy Consultation Document;

ii)            approves the overarching Spatial Strategy (as set out in Appendix 1 of the report presented) and the Community Area Strategies (as set out in Appendix 4 of the report presented) for the purposes of consultation;

iii)          authorises the Service Director for Economy and Enterprise, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Strategic Planning:

·                     with the relevant Area Board Chairs, to make any necessary changes in the interests of clarity and accuracy only to the Community Area Strategies;

·                     to finalise the policies (as set out in Appendix 5) and make any changes in the interests of clarity and accuracy to the overarching Spatial Strategy;

·                     to prepare the consultation document including supporting papers and

·                     to make the necessary arrangements for the consultation, commencing on 13 June 2011 and ending on 8 August 2011.

(v)       authorises the Service Director for Economy and Enterprise, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Strategic Planning, following the close of the consultation, to proceed with the next steps and prepare the pre-submission draft of the Wiltshire Core Strategy for approval by Cabinet.

Reason for Decision:

To ensure that progress continues to be made on the preparation of an up-to-date planning policy framework for Wiltshire in line with the Council’s statutory duties and that this can be put in place as soon as possible. This will ensure that the development of new jobs and homes takes place in the most sustainable way that best conserves the environment and maximises benefits for local communities.