Issue - meetings

Councillor Gary Sumner, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, and the Head of Planning, Regulatory Services and Heritage, introduced a joint report setting out a proposal to commence a consultation on the preferred and ‘emerging’ options of the Swindon Borough Local Plan Review.

Councillor Sumner, with the meeting’s consent, tabled two amendments.

1) To add the following words to the end of recommendation 2.1: “with the following additional text being inserted into Appendix 2: “New Policy LA7

Setting Protection to Coate Water The area between Coate Water and Badbury Park housing development, as indicated on the current Policies Map will be protected from development to preserve the setting to Coate Water Country Park, and the function of Day House Lane as a green corridor will be safeguarded”.

2)        To amend the Cabinet Member title in Recommendation 2.2 to read “Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning.” then to agree the recommendations

Councillor Sumner noted the significant local interest generated in the possible use of some public open space for housing, the views of the Ward Members for Chiseldon and Lawn, as well as Council resolution requesting that Cabinet consider a land transfer to the Parish Council. He stated that the Council would consider transfers of land not required for other purposes to Parish Councils at the conclusion of the Local Plan

Councillors Jayne Milner-Barry and Bob Wright asked questions relating to:

·        how the consultation draft policies addressed climate change and sustainability,

·        how the Council is enforcing current policies along with how it would enforce those being be proposed,

·        the increasing number of housing developments in the town centre, and

·        how schools, healthcare, and other infrastructure could be provided.

Councillors Gary Sumner and Dale Heenan responded at the meeting. The Leader of the Council encouraged Councillor Wright to make a formal submission of his points as part of the consultation.

Resolved (Minute for Confirmation):

1)   That Cabinet recommends to Council that:

a.    The Head of Planning, Regulatory Services, and Heritage to be authorised to undertake public consultation on the preferred and ‘emerging’ options of the Swindon Borough Local Plan Review as attached at Appendix 1 and 2 and in accordance with the arrangements set out in paragraph 3.45.to 3.48 with the following additional text being inserted into Appendix 2: “New Policy LA7

Setting Protection to Coate Water The area between Coate Water and Badbury Park housing development, as indicated on the current Policies Map will be protected from development to preserve the setting to Coate Water Country Park, and the function of Day House Lane as a green corridor will be safeguarded”.

b.    The Head of Planning, Regulatory Services, and Heritage, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and the Chief Legal Officer, be authorised to make minor non-material changes to the content of the documents if required, prior to publication.

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.