Issue - meetings

Draft Minute from Cabinet on 4^th December 2019 to folow.

The Committee received a draft Minute from Cabinet to seek approval to undertake public consultation on the submission draft Swindon Borough Local Plan Review for a period of 6 weeks in accordance with Regulation 19 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).  Councillor Gary Sumner, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning introduced the draft Minute and joint report and drew the Committee’s attention to the previous consultations, the extended time for this consultation, and the benefits of securing an updated Local Plan.

Councillor Brian Ford, speaking in his role of Borough Councillor for Wroughton and Wichelstowe, drew the Committee’s attention to the text in the second paragraph of the draft Minute in which he and councillor Martyn stated that they both supported the recommendation that the Local Plan continued to the next round of consultation; however, that this did not mean they agreed with the proposed site allocations for Wroughton.  Councillor Maureen Penny, speaking in her role of Borough Councillor for Blunsdon and Highworth, requested that it be recorded that she does not necessarily agree with the site allocations within the Draft SBC Local Plan review and that she disagreed with the statement in the joint report to Cabinet regarding rural areas being targeted for development.

Councillors Jim Grant, Russell Holland, Jane Milner-Barry, Stan Pajak, Jim Robbins contributed to the debate raising the following issues:

·        The lack of availability of previous consultation responses prior to the meeting along with the weight to be given to consultation responses both from the previous phases and from this, were it to be approved,

·        The proposal to hold the consultation over the Christmas period,

·        The possible use of the Groundwell former park and ride site

·        Concern that there was a lack of ambition on social housing, a university, and on providing sustainability,

·        The desired proportion of new housing that should be classed as affordable housing,

·        The belief that there was a lack of provision for more mass rapid transit, safe cycling routes, and energy efficient houses in the Plan,

·        Concerns about the risks of older houses consuming more energy, either through heating or needing air-conditioning and the effect this would have on sustainability,

·        Concern that there was a lack of additional sites identified for generating renewable energy,

·        Concern about whether or not the building regulations would compel the construction of carbon neutral homes.

·        What was validity of the sustainability assessment

·        The date when the Council would have a five-year land supply if the new Local Plan were adopted.

·        The timescale for approving the Plan were this consultation to be approved.

Councillor Sumner, Councillor Oliver Donachie the Economy and Place, the Cabinet Member for the Corporate Director of Communities and Housing, and the Service Manager - Planning Policy responded at the meeting.

Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded:

“That Minute 52 of the Cabinet (Swindon Borough Local Plan Review - Regulation 19 Consultation (submission draft)) be confirmed and adopted.”

The resolution was put to the vote  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14

Councillor Gary Sumner, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and the Head of Planning, Regulatory Services, and Heritage submitted a joint report seeking Cabinet’s recommendation to Council to approve undertaking public consultation on the submission draft Swindon Borough Local Plan Review for a period of 6 weeks in accordance with Regulation 19 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended). Councillor Sumner added that the consultation would be for a six week period and that the draft text would be checked prior to publication.

Councillor Brian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, spoke on behalf of Councillor Cathy Martyn, Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety in their roles as Wroughton and Wichelstowe Ward councillors. Councillors Ford and Martyn advised that they both supported the recommendation that the Local Plan continue to the next round of consultation. They requested that it be recorded in the minutes that this did not mean they agreed with the proposed site allocations for Wroughton. Councillor Ford added that they would be encouraging residents to respond to the draft. Councillor Ford requested that Councillor Sumner and relevant officers arrange a meeting in Wroughton to inform and consult residents.

Councillor Bob Wright and Councillor Dale Heenan, Cabinet Member for the Town Centre asked questions about:

·        How the Local Plan would identify sufficient land for additional tree planting,

·        How it would assist the Council in preserving the Borough’s existing trees, and

·        Whether it would consult on the contraction of the town centre shopping area in line with changing retail trends.

Councillor Sumner and Councillor Keith Williams, Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Operational Excellence responded at the meeting.

Resolved:-

1.    That Special Committee be recommended that the Head of Planning, Regulatory Services, and Heritage be authorised to undertake public consultation on the Draft Swindon Borough Local Plan Review as attached at Appendix 1 in accordance with the arrangements set out in paragraph 3.24 of the joint report.

2.    That Special Committee be recommended that 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.