Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal interests, not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in respect of business on the agenda. No additional interests were declared.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Monday 29 April 2013.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, and a number of Members of Council had requested to speak on Agenda item 3 – City of York Local Plan Preferred Options (minute 125):

Matthew Clements spoke on behalf of a number of residents of Heslington to express their dismay at the scale of the development proposed in the green belt. With the development already earmarked at Germany Beck and Heslington East this was not considered sustainable. Reference was made to the lack of detailed plans for the 186 hectare ‘garden village’ in order to allay resident’s fears. Highway and access issues were also a major concern and he asked members to consider other site options. 

Cllr Reid outlined the Liberal Democrat Groups concerns, particularly that the supporting documents had not yet been made available, key documents which would allow an assessment to be made that the proposed housing allocations were required. A number of new sites did not appear to have been included in the report and other sites reduced in size with no accompanying explanation. The Group referred to unachievable housing growth targets which could not be assessed without the accompanying documents.

Cllr Barton pointed out that the three minutes public participation limit on speakers was insufficient time in which to provide an adequate response to the proposals. He referred to the reasoned arguments put forward by residents against proposals which he hoped would be considered fully as part of the consultation process. He went on to urge members not to support development in the green belt.

Cllr Warters made reference to the recent presentation rather than consultation given to the Local Plan Working Group. He pointed out that the majority of residents in the affected areas were opposed to the proposed changes. Confirming that, if implemented this would leave a lasting legacy when there was no shortage of houses in the city, with the likelihood that Cabinet would be happy with 20% of the housing stock already in student use.

Cllr D’Agorne welcomed the changes made to the Plan by the Local Plan Working Group however, he felt further improvements could have been made if sustainability had been at the heart of the developments. Reference was made to carbon emissions and CYC targets and the need for high insulation in new homes to tackle fuel poverty and reduce emissions. He confirmed his support for Cllr Reid’s earlier comments and the need to boost local business and provide a steady housing supply as required.

Cllr Brooks spoke to raise concerns in respect of the proposed allocation of a gypsy/traveller site at Common Road/Hassacarr Lane in Dunnington, adjacent to housing and the Dunnington Sports Club. Land which had previously been identified by the Dunnington Playing Fields Association for the provision of additional car parking and pitches. Members were requested to amend the allocation in order to provide a well documented need in the local area for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.

To consider the Local Plan Preferred Options and Proposals Map (Annex A). The Local Plan Preferred Options is part of the development of the final Local Plan and Cabinet are asked to approve this document for the purposes of consultation.

A report on this issue will be considered in detail at the Local Plan Working Group meeting on 22^nd April 2013 and recommendations of the working group will be provided to Cabinet to help inform any decisions taken.

[A copy of the draft minutes of the Local Plan Working Group meeting on 22 April 2013 together with an Annex of Direct Policy or Proposals Changes arising from these Minutes were republished with this agenda on Friday 26 April 2013.]

RESOLVED:       That Cabinet agree to:

(i) approve the City of York Local Plan Preferred Options Draft, at Annex A of the report, along with the supporting information for public consultation, subject to the identified amendments agreed at the Local Plan Working Group meeting on 22 April 2013 set out at Annex1- Direct Policy or Proposals Changes Arising from the Minutes.

(ii)  delegate to the Director of CES in consultation with the Cabinet Member the making of any incidental changes to the draft document that are necessary as a result of the recommendations of Cabinet.

(iii) delegate to the Director of CES in consultation with the Cabinet Member the approval of a Consultation Strategy and associated documents.

(iv) delegate to the Director of CES in consultation with the Cabinet Member the approval of supporting information and documentation to be published during public consultation.

REASONS:         i)   So that an National Planning Policy Framework compliant Local Plan can be progressed.

   ii)   So that changes recommended as a result of discussions at this meeting can be made.

   iii) & iv)    To ensure that the proposed methods of consultation are satisfactory to Members.

Consideration was given to a report which set out details of the Local Plan Preferred Options and Proposals Map at Annex A of the report. The Local Plan comprised a written statement of the planning strategy and vision for the City of York Council, together with strategic policies and development management policies. With the final draft Local Plan being put forward for consultation and submitted for public examination in 2014.

The report was supported by the following Annexes, provided online, with further supporting papers being made available when the Plan was approved for publication:

·        Annex B: Summary of the Outcomes of Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment

·        Annex C: Heritage Impact Appraisal

·        Annex D: Community Impact Assessment

This report had also be considered at the Local Plan Working Group meeting held on 22 April 2013. A copy of the draft minutes from that meeting,  together with an Annex setting out the direct policy or proposals changes arising from the minutes, republished with the online agenda and circulated to Members were also examined.

Members were asked to consider the following two options:

Option 1: That Cabinet, subject to identified amendments, approve the document attached as Annex A, along with supporting information for public consultation.

Option 2: That the Cabinet request that officers make changes to the document and produce a further report and draft for consideration.

Members referred to the importance of the Plan for the future of the city and to meet the housing and social needs of residents and to prevent uncontrolled development. The eight week city wide consultation, to be undertaken following  approval of the draft Plan, would give residents the opportunity to inform the production of the submission draft for further consultation in early 2014.

It was confirmed that the city was at present unable to meet the current housing need or those of future generations, particularly in villages.

In reply to a number of the earlier speakers comments the Chair and Members:

·        Reiterated that the Plan would shortly go out for consultation and that residents views and comments would be listened to with any alternative proposals put forward given full consideration.

·        Maintained that the proposed population level and employment growth had been considered correct as had the need to provide the necessary support and new jobs for skilled people in the city.

·        Pointed out that brown field sites were currently in the being developed and agreement that existing infrastructure would require updating.

·        Confirmed that the issues raised in connection with the Common Road, Dunnington site would be examined,  however it was pointed out that there was an over abundance of cricket/football pitches in some areas.

·        Confirmed that support information/evidence base would be provided as part of the consultation and that the Plan would be updated to include any missing housing sites.

·        Indicated that the housing targets were not felt unrealistic and would deliver much needed family housing.

·        Explained that the draft Plan only included details of land allocation, rather than detailed site plans.

·        Endorsed the importance of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 125.