Agenda item

The Select Committee will receive the report, considered by Cabinet on 29 June 2021, which provides an initial summary of the main issues that were raised through the Local Plan consultation and the next steps.

The statements, questions and responses arising from the report going to Cabinet are also provided.

The Select Committee received a report considered by Cabinet on 29 June 2021 which provided an initial summary of the main issues that were raised through the Local Plan consultation and the next steps.

The Chair highlighted that as report had already been discussed at Cabinet and, to avoid duplication, invited members to focus their questions and debate within this select committees’ remit only. In particular focusing upon the more strategic aspects of the report and not, unless illustrating a wider point, upon the detailed questions regarding specific localities.

The Select Committee noted there were many questions raised by members of the public which were answered by officers and these have been attached to the agenda, to avoid repetition of questions already raised and answered.

Cllr Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Development Management, Strategic Planning and Climate Change introduced the report. He explained that the Cabinet agreed to continue the Local Plan process and work on further consultation. It was noted that officers had faced many challenges due to COVID, especially during the consultation process between January and March 2021. A key part of the Local Plan process was the testing of the lower and upper range of housing need for the Plan period. This would need to be evidence based and would be considered by the Inspector at the end of the process.

In response to comments and questions from the Select Committee, the Cabinet Member and officers highlighted that:

·       The gathering of evidence was vital for further work to be progressed on the Local Plan. In particular, consideration would be given to the housing need for all housing market areas in the County, rather than one area in isolation, for instance Chippenham and the associated HIF proposals. Officers would work through the evidence, taking into account the full range of consultation comments received, in order to provide a further report on the draft Plan at future Cabinet and Full Council meetings, prior to a further stage of consultation.

·       If submissions for additional sites are provided during the consultation in areas of interest these would be considered alongside other comments received as the Plan is progressed.

·       It would not be sustainable to favour one demographic group over another group. Proposals in the Local Plan had to be balanced to reflect mixed communities.

·       A range of broadband coverage improvements currently being undertaken in the county and with the changing dynamic, broadband needs would need to be factored in on the work being undertaken on the Plan.

·       The impact of COVID on the potential for brownfield development, alongside difficulties arising from the conversion of commercial/retail sites to residential sites. Town centre sites in particular required the right mix of development for their sustainability.

·       The number of responses received during the consultation process were encouraging especially with the challenges faced during the pandemic. Digital consultation allowed for 24/7 response, although there was awareness of those unable to respond digitally.

·       Compulsory Purchase Orders have been used by the Council to aid the development of infrastructure and will continue to be used in a positive way in the future.

·       Engagement would take place with local communities in relation to proposed sites in the Local Plan, with brownfield sites being a priority.

·       Climate change and Health & Wellbeing issues were a golden thread throughout the Local Plan.

·       Transport access to new and existing rural business sites was difficult in some circumstances.

·       There were no development proposals for land in the Hullavington airfield area from local residents or landowners. It was noted that new settlements could take years to come to fruition, especially where land deliverability issues existed.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet member and officers for their input.      

Resolved:

1.    Notes this initial summary of the main issues arising through the consultation

2.    That the Committee is further updated on progress with the Local Plan review