Agenda item

Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

Cllr Toby Sturgis, Cabinet Member for Planning, presented a report which provided an update on the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan and progress with the Schedule of Work developed to respond to the Inspector’s comments following the suspension of the Examination and next steps.

The Leader invited members of the public to present their submitted questions, as previously circulated in agenda supplement two together with the responses and invited questionners to ask any supplementary questions.

a) Ian James – Flood Risks

In response to a supplementary question from Mr Ian James, Cllr Toby Sturgis stated that he had seen the email in question, and understood the officer’s comments. Cllr Sturgis went on to state that no development should go ahead unless it included mitigation measures designed to reduces the flood risk. Developers would have to demonstrate such measures, and the Environment Agency would have to consider the evidence, and make final decision on the adequacy of the plans.

In response to a supplementary question from Mr Ian James, Cllr Jonathan Seed clarified that any development of any ground had flood risks associated with it, but such risks could be mitigated with appropriate strategies.

In response to a supplementary question from Mr Ian James, Cllr Toby Sturgis explained that the Environment Agency (EA) would publish information when they were ready. The Leader asked that officers talk to the EA about expediting the process and asked officers to ensure the relevant parties were informed when the evidence was produced.

In a closing statement, Mr Ian James emphasised the impact of climate change on flood risk

b) Marilyn Mackay – Chippenham DPD

Marilyn Mackay stated that she did not have any supplementary questions.

c) Helen Stuckey – Chippenham DPD

In response to a supplementary question from Mrs Helen Stuckey, Cllr Toby Sturgis explained that the full appraisals would be included in the papers for the Council meeting on 10 May which would be published on 29 April, and that he intended to keep an open mind  considering all the evidence in full.

The Leader emphasised that the meeting of Full Council would make the final decision on a recommendation to the Inspector The Leader also asked that a link to the published Council papers be promoted in the locality.

d) Cllr Chris Caswill – Chippenham DPD

In response to a supplementary question from Cllr Chris Caswill, Cllr Toby Sturgis undertook to keep an open mind about the need for an Eastern or Southern Link Road. Alistair Cunningham, Associate Director, added that the reference to the need for an Eastern Link Road in the Regulation 123 list was based on the evidence available at the time of publication and did not pre-empt any subsequent consideration of transport needs as part of the Chippenham DPD.

In response to a supplementary question from Cllr Chris Caswill, the Leader stated if the Council produced a detailed transport plan at this stage would it be in danger of being accused of pre-empting the Inspector.

e) Malcolm Toogood – Speculative Development

The Leader asked officers to provide a written response to Mr Toogood’s statement about the impact of the delay in the adoption the Chippenham Site Allocation on speculative development in other areas. As the statement had not been submitted in advance, it was not possible to give a considered reply at the meeting.

Resolved

That Cabinet notes the progress made with the examination of the Draft Chippenham Site Allocations Plan including the work being undertaken pursuant to the Schedule of Work agreed with the Inspector appointed to examine the Plan and the next steps.

Reason for Decision

To inform Cabinet of the continuing work to respond to the concerns of the Inspector appointed to examine the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan following suspension of the Examination in November 2015 and next steps.