Agenda item

The purpose of this report is to provide initial feedback on the Local Plan Preferred Options consultation which closed on 31^st July 2013.  This report summarises the consultation undertaken, outlines the number of responses received, highlights some of the key emerging messages and sets out the next steps for producing the Local Plan.

Members considered a report which provided feedback on the Local Plan Preferred Options consultation which closed on 31^st July 2013. The report summarised the consultation undertaken, outlined the number of responses received, highlighted some of the key emerging messages and set out the next steps for producing the Local Plan.

The Chair commented that the Council acknowledged the representations that had been received from both residents and prescribed bodies and the representations had presented several challenges. Whilst peoples aspirations, hopes and wishes are clear there is National Policy to adhere to and criteria has to be met or there will be no Local Plan. It is crucial that the Council gets policies finalised, agreed and adopted to ensure that development in the City is meeting aspirations of residents in terms of accommodation, infrastructure and transport.

Members queried a number of points as follows:

·        The issue of all 4945 representations being cleansed of  personal data before being published and the length of time involved in doing this. Officers confirmed that despite several enquiries to establish if this was necessary, colleagues in Governance had confirmed that due to data protection all personal data must be removed before being published and work was currently ongoing to ensure all responses could be made public alongside recommended changes to the plan. Officers said they would check this again in light of Member’s concerns.

·        How many extra sites had been put forward during the consultation. Officers confirmed that between 30 and 40 new sites varying in size had been identified and all would be subject to the same methodology to establish if they should be recommended for inclusion in the plan.

·        The figure of 1,090 homes per year for the period of the plan. Officers advised that the Inspector would expect a target and the 1,090 figure was sufficient for a minimum 15 year plan taking into account the technical work undertaken by Arup.

·        The number of people that attended the public exhibitions and if an approximate figure could be provided. Officers confirmed they would work on some wording to substantiate the attendance at the events and that the figure was in the 100’s rather than the 10’s.

·        Whether the number of representations received for each site would be detailed. Officers confirmed they are working on a pro-forma for each site to summarise how many written responses were received as well as to summarise any other technical work so that Members can consider all the information set out as clearly as possible.

·        Paragraphs  26 to 29 of the report entitled ‘Emerging Messages’ was queried as it appeared to respond to representations which Members understood not to be the intention at this stage. Officers advised that the paragraph was included to give context to why people had made the comments they had and was not a response to comments.

·        If comments received after the 31^st July had been included. Officers confirmed that some comments had come in at the very end of the consultation and some extra time had been allowed within reason.

Members then made a number of comments, the main points as follows:

·        Some Members raised concerns about the potential for too much development on green belt land.

·        In relation to the responses received from prescribed bodies, Members considered that English Heritage’s comments require further investigation. Also,  engagement with neighbouring Local Authorities such as North Yorkshire County Council is important.

·        The Local Plan is in the early stages of the process and the emerging messages identified through the consultation are of no surprise.

·        A balance is required between Green Belt Sites and Brownfield sites to avoid over development on small brownfield sites.

Resolved:           That Members noted the report.

Reason:              To keep Members informed on the initial feedback on the Local Plan Preferred Options consultation.