Agenda item

 Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

 Councillor Toby Sturgis presented the report which informed Cabinet of the Inspector’s Report into the examination of the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan and his conclusions regarding legal compliance and soundness; sought approval that the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan, as amended by the Main Modifications in the Inspector’s Report and other Additional Modifications that have arisen during the examination or been made in the interest of accuracy and consistency, be recommended to Council for adoption; and sought approval for the Associate Director for Economic Development and Planning, in consultation with the Associate Director for Legal and Governance and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, Strategic Housing, Operational Property and Waste, to undertake the final stages associated with the formal adoption by the Council of the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan.

In presenting the report, Councillor Sturgis referred to the history of the development of the plan and the importance of having a sound plan to lead development in the area. He also praised the work of the officers in developing the plan.

The Leader drew attention to the questions and answers circulated in the agenda supplement, and invited Councillor Chris Caswill to ask any supplementary questions.

In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Caswill, Councillor Sturgis stated that the issues of traffic flows had been considered at the examination, and that the Inspector had found the plan to be sound.

In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Caswill, Councillor Sturgis stated that there was the willingness to work with local business Wavin on their concerns about the road access to the nearby development area. Additionally officers stated that Wavin was aware of the issue, as recorded in the information submitted in their recent planning application, and that a solution was possible.

In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Caswill, officers stated that the Inspector had requested the addition of the text related to alternative traffic measures if a link road was not deliverable as part of the development. It was also acknowledged that previously submitted plans accompanying the Rawlings Green planning application would likely have to be resubmitted taking the Inspector’s findings into account.

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 recommend to Council that the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan, as amended as set out in (i) above and attached at Appendix 2, including the Additional Modifications set out in Appendix 3, be adopted as part of the development plan for Wiltshire.

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 Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, Strategic Housing, Operational Property and Waste for the Policies Map to be amended in line with the modifications identified in (ii) 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)    Following approval of Council, agrees that the Associate Director for Economic, Development and Planning in consultation with the Associate Director for Legal and Governance and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, Strategic Housing, Operational Property and Waste, undertakes the final stages associated with the formal adoption and publication of the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan.

Reason for Decision:

The Chippenham Site Allocations Plan will form part of the Council’s Policy Framework. In accordance with the Local Government Acts 1972 and 2000, and the Council’s constitution it must first be approved by Cabinet before it is adopted by Council. As the document has been found sound by the Inspector its adoption by the Council would help ensure up to date planning policy is in place at Chippenham and provide effective policies to ensure the sustainable development of Chippenham.