Agenda item

A report by Alistair Cunningham, Executive Director, Growth, Investment & Place is attached.

Public Participation

Steve Fear, spoke in objection to the Masterplan

Dr Jeremy Howell, Three Chequers Medical Practice, spoke in objection to the Masterplan.

Mrs Caussmaker, spoke in objection to the Masterplan

Cllr Tom Corbin, on behalf of Salisbury City Council, spoke in support of the Masterplan.

Richard Walters, Head of Service, Major Projects, presented the Maltings and Central Car Park, Salisbury Masterplan and accompanying report. The history of desired masterplans for Salisbury was noted, along with the need for any plan to be developer led in order to be deliverable. Key principles within the plan included the creation of a focused cultural quarter, a green corridor along the river, while allowing overall flexibility. It was stated that the Environment Agency had updated their model for flood risk following flood events in recent years, and this had had a significant impact upon the deliverability of some developments within the site areas.

The details of the public consultation from 15 April 2019 to 24 May 2019 were noted, along with the public exhibition day on 23 April 2019. Over 200 representations had been received, reporting 350 issues, and each issue received a response in the accompanying report. Issues raised had included concerns over the relocation of the library where the existing location was felt to be superior, support for the concept of a green corridor, objection to new retail units and concerns regarding city centre parking and the future of the Young Gallery, and support for enhancement of coach parking facilities.

In response to the comments more detail had been included on ecology, there had been further assessment of the cityscape, a new access plan, detailed added on the future planning process and a section on engagement with voluntary groups, and revision of the delivery details. Details were also provided on representations received since the publication of the agenda.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions on the Masterplan. Details were sought regarding flood classification and future medical provision, where it was confirmed one potential site was not suitable for that purpose.

Three questions from Sarah Prinsloo and Mike d’Apice, Extinction Rebellion, had been received and answered in written responses as detailed in Agenda Supplement 1. Supplementary questions were asked seeking the Committee to commit the council to no development unless it was carbon neutral or carbon net negative, noting the recent declaration of the Council on climate change. In response it was stated the Committee was required to follow planning regulations and could not commit the Council as a whole.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their views to the Committee, as detailed above.

Councillor John Walsh, Salisbury Fisherton and Bemerton Division, made a statement, appreciating the work that was being done but questioning what he consdidered to be the apparent rush and lack of detail within the Masterplan.

The Committee then debated the Masterplan. Issues raised included the long history of attempted visions and masterplans to regenerate the area which had not progressed, and the need to encourage suitable development. It was noted that the Masterplan was a framework to lead the regeneration, and some felt that too much detail in the past had been restrictive and constrained progress. Some concerns were expressed at the potential level of city centre parking that would be reduced, community arts and medical provision. It was also noted that a grant of over £6million from the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership had been allocated for the delivery of the first phase of the project, not any specific development within it, and would need to be spent before March 2021.

At the conclusion of debate on a motion to approve the Masterplan moved by Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Phillipe MBE and seconded by Councillor Derek Brown OBE, it was,

Resolved:

That the Master plan for the Maltings and Central Car Park, as attached at Appendix 1, as amended as described paragraph 25 of the report, and any other minor alterations required to improve its clarity, is endorsed as a material planning consideration for the purposes of development management.