Agenda item

 Report by Alistair Cunningham, Corporate Director

Councillor Toby Sturgis presented the report which: provided an update on the outcome of the formal consultation on the ‘Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan - Pre-submission draft plan (June 2017)’; sought Cabinet’s  recommendation to Council that the Plan, together with the schedule of Proposed Changes, should be approved for the purposes of submission to the Secretary of State and commencement of the independent Examination process; and sought delegated authority to make appropriate arrangements for submitting the prescribed documents and supporting materials to the Secretary of State; and respond to any consequential actions as directed by the Inspector relating to the Examination.

Matters highlighted in the course of the presentation and debate included: how the plans fit with the core strategy; the need to submit evidence of a five year housing land supply; the national policy context and the drive from central government to encourage more housebuilding; the formal and informal consultations already undertaken and the decision of Cabinet already made; the need to submit the plan to the Secretary of State to commence the independent examination by an inspector (with examination in public in the autumn), and that a final decision would be made by Council following recommendations of the inspector examining the plan; the changes that have been made as a result of consultation and assessments; how changes in national policy on issues such as density had been taken into account; the comprehensive nature of the evidence; that some settlements had not been included as they had already met their housing allocation; that around 3000 comments had been taken into account; the difficulty in balancing the needs of national policy and housing demand and neighbourhood plans, and the respective weight that can be given in decisions; the assistance the council can give to supporting those plans in their development; that every objection and representation will be sent to the Secretary of State that will be considered by the inspector; and that the secretary of state can take action if a sound plan is not in place.

The Leader drew attention to the questions and statements responded to in the supplement, and gave those in attendance an opportunity to present further questions and statements.

The Leader stated, in response to specific concerns raised by Graham Hill, that she would ask officers to meet with him to seek to address the issues he had raised in his complaint.

The Leader stated, in response to a supplementary question from Geoff Whiffen, that the Cabinet represented the county as a whole and that it was not practical to have representatives from every community on there, but emphasised that views from all communities are listened to; and that a written response would be given as to the breakdown of support and objection to the specific site mentioned.

Councillor Sturgis, in response to a question from David Goodship, that a distinction had to made between matters to be dealt with as a matter of policy/strategy and those which would be dealt with regarding a specific development control planning application.

Councillor Sturgis, in response to a question from Mr Williams, that whilst the development of brownfield sites is welcomed, it is sometimes the case that they are not viewed as being deliverable in the time period required. With regard to greenfield sites, larger sites can include sufficient landscaping and open space that can provide mitigation against the loss of greenfields and avoid coalescence between settlements.

Councillor Sturgis, in response to a question from Carol Part, stated that he was aware that the Market Lavington Neighbourhood Plan was in development and that officers had been supporting its development.

Councillor Sturgis, in response to a question from Mr Slater – Reynolds, stated that he would respond to the specific issues raised regarding his site if he would send him a copy of his statement.

Councillor Sturgis, in response to a question from Councillor Richard Gamble, that the case law was clear that Neighbourhood Plans have to be sufficiently progressed to be able to be given due weight, and that the council had a duty to present a sound plan to the inspector.

Councillor Sturgis, in response to a question from Lance Allen of Trowbridge Town Council, reiterated the position with regard to the deliverability of brownfield sites, but stated that he would be happy to work further with the Town Council to further assess sites emphasising the need to propose a sound, deliverable plan.

Councillor Sturgis, in response to a question from Cllr Roger Evans of North Bradley Parish Council, that he recognised that neighbourhood plans formed an important part of the process and that he believed that, with sufficient landscaping, the development of greenfield sites need not be at the expense of the protection of rural communities from coalescence with urban communities.

The Leader asked that officers work with North Bradley and Market Lavington communities to help progress their Neighbourhood Plans as far as was practicable ahead of the next stage.

Councillor Sturgis, in response to a question from Roger Bunting, stated that the example given by Mr Bunting was in relation to a small number of changes made to one small policy area, and the table of changes included in an appendix to the report detailed the much more extensive areas of amendment made in response to the consultation.

Councillor Sturgis, in response to issues raised by Councillor Horace Prickett, stated that neighbourhood plan groups would continue to receive support.

The Leader stated, in response to issues raised by Councillor Graham Payne, that Cabinet will consider carefully how to address the concerns raised about how best to protect the community interests in playing fields.

Councillor Sturgis, in response to a question raised by Councillor Graham Wright, stated that an additional site had been included in Salisbury following its reassessment.

The Leader stated, in response to issues raised by Councillor Steve Oldrieve, that the plan was intended to protect against speculative development.

At the conclusion of the debate, the Leader proposed that consideration of the plan be deferred, with a view to making a recommendation to the July meeting of Council rather than to May.

In making her proposal to defer consideration of the matter, the Leader asked officers to circulate a briefing note stating that the decision had been deferred to provide councillors with more time to fully consider the documents prepared by officers, and specifically, the Schedule of Proposed Changes to the plan. Cabinet considered that this should also be made available to Parish and Town Councils.

Resolved

To defer consideration of the draft Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan to the July meeting of Cabinet.

Reason for Decision:

To provide councillors with more time to fully consider the documents prepared by officers, and specifically, the Schedule of Proposed Changes to the plan.