Issue - meetings

To consider Cabinet’s recommendation dated 14 March 2017 regarding the adoption of the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan.

Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

The Chairman invited the Cabinet Member for Planning, Councillor Toby Sturgis, to present the item, which asked Council to consider the recommendations of Cabinet at its meeting on 14 March 2017 concerning the adoption of the Chippenham Site

Allocations Plan.

In moving the motion, duly seconded by the Leader, Councillor Sturgis thanked officers for their hard work in producing the plan, and outlined the benefits of adopting the plan and the risks of seeking to refuse or amend the plan now that it had been amended following its consideration by the Planning Inspector.

Whilst he expressed a wish to support the plan. Councillor Ian Thorn and Councillor Ernie Clark both expressed some concern as to whether lessons had been learnt about the delays in adopting the plan.

Councillors Clare Cape and Councillor Ross Henning expressed concerns that infrastructure requirements of the town would not be adequately addressed.

Councillor Jon Hubbard stated that he could not support the plan as it did not adequately address the transport issues.

Councillor Christine Crisp stated that whilst she knew that the plan would not meet approval across the community, it had addressed some of them.

Councillor Peter Hutton spoke in support of the plan as, even though he recognised some of the concerns of residents, it was an opportunity to lead development in the town.

Councillor Nick Murry expressed major reservations about the plan, including the impact of additional traffic on residents and the need for infrastructure issues to be addressed.

In response to a question from Councillor Nick Murry, the Monitoring Officer stated that he had advised that Chairman that the proposed amendment would have had a material effect on the plan, in effect negating its adoption, and thus was recommended to be refused permission to be tabled as an amendment.

In closing, Councillor Toby Sturgis stated that infrastructure requirements of the community could only be delivered through new housing development.

Having been put to a recorded vote, the meeting;

Resolved

(i)     To note the content of the Inspector’s Report into the examination of the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan (Appendix 1) and his conclusions regarding legal compliance and soundness and accepts the modifications in the Appendix of the Inspector’s Report, which the Inspector considers are necessary to make the plan sound in accordance with legislation

(ii)    To adopt the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan, as amended as set out in Appendix 2, including the Additional Modifications set out in Appendix 3.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Associate Director for Economic Development and Planning in consultation with the Associate Director for Legal and Governance and the relevant Cabinet Member to amend the Policies Map as set out in Appendix 5 and for further minor textual changes to be made to the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan prior to publication in the interests of accuracy and consistency.

(iv)  That, subject to Council approval of (ii) above, to delegate authority to the Associate Director for Economic, Development and Planning in consultation with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114

Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

Before calling on the Cabinet Member for Planning, Councillor Toby Sturgis, to present the item, the Chairman drew the meeting’s attention to the questions received from members of the public and Councillor Caswill and gave questioners an opportunity to ask supplementary questions.

Councillor Sturgis stated, in response to a question from Marilyn Mackay, that should the recommendations in the report be approved he would consider her proposals to make minor amendments to the text to bring clarity about the country parks.

Councillor Sturgis stated, in response to a question from Helen Stuckey, that he noted he issues raised in relation to traffic and transport; and stated that the contribution expected towards transport infrastructure identified was reasonable.

Mr Ian James made a statement relating to the item, welcoming the modified plan, and asked that brownfield development be prioritised.

Mr Malcolm Toogood stated that he had not had a reply to a previously submitted question to Cabinet and made reference to other questions on air quality recently submitted and need to challenge evidence from developers.

Councillor Toby Sturgis, Cabinet member for Planning  proposed, subsequently seconded by Councillor Fleur De Rhé-Philipe, the recommendations as set out in Report presented, incorporating amendments set out in the Addendum to Appendix 3 circulated in Agenda Supplement Two. In presenting his proposal, Councillor Sturgis highlighted the Proposed Modifications  to the Plan following further assessment of evidence.

The Chairman then invited comments from Group Leaders before opening up the item to wider debate.

The Baroness Scott of Bybrook, OBE, stated that she recognised the differences in public opinion on the matter, but hoped that now a pragmatic solution had been reached it could be implemented promptly to provide new jobs and housing.

Councillor Glenis Ansell expressed continuing concern regarding the impact of the proposals on air quality and that she would be seeking further reassurances on the matter. She stated that she hoped the Inspector would approve the plan as the absence of a five year land supply had had a negative impact on other towns within the housing market area.

Councillor Ernie Clark emphasised concerns regarding the five year land supply.

Councillor Ricky Rogers stated he would be interested to hear the views of the local members.

Councillor Christine Crisp stated that she was happy to see some of the revisions to the plan and thanked those involved for their hardwork in providing evidence to the review.

Councillor Jon Hubbard emphasised the impact of the delay on the increase in speculative developments in other areas, owing to the absence of a five year land supply. Reflecting his concerns over the handling of the Plan, Councillor Hubbard moved an amendment, duly seconded by Councillor Ian West as follows:

To insert a new paragraph (i) to read as follows

‘Following the repeated failures of the Cabinet member responsible for Strategic Planning, Development Management, Strategic Housing, Operational Property and Waste to deliver on this Plan and to protect the five year supply of housing for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34