Agenda item

This report presents two consultation draft Village Design Statements, one for Wheldrake and one for Strensall with Towthorpe.  It outlines the process so far in producing the documents and concludes that a consultation process should be undertaken, with a view to approving the guidance as draft Supplementary Planning Documents to the emerging Local Plan.   

Members considered a report which presented to them two consultation draft Village Design Statements, one for Wheldrake and one for Strensall with Towthorpe. The report outlined the process so far in producing the documents and concluded that that a consultation process should be undertaken, with a view to approving the guidance as draft Supplementary Planning Documents to the emerging Local Plan.

Officers circulated an update to the committee report containing proposed amendments to the Strensall and Towthorpe Village Design Statement (Annex B). The amendments had been agreed with the Strensall and Towthorpe Village Design Statement Working Group to provide further detail and ensure deliverability of the Design Guidelines. The update is attached as an annex to these minutes for information.

Members’ attention was drawn to the draft Village Design Statements attached at annexes A and B to the report. Officers advised that both documents had been produced by local groups who had put in voluntary hours and who were now keen to progress the documents for a summer consultation. Officers had seen previous drafts and offered guidance. Members were being asked to approve the content, with the tabled amendments to the Strensall and Towthorpe document and were asked to note that the graphic design detail would be finalised at a later stage.

The Chair expressed appreciation to both groups for the hard work and research which had gone into the draft Design Statements. He asked that a vote of thanks be recorded.

Members were happy to approve both draft Village Design Statements, with the tabled amendments, for consultation.

Resolved:           That in line with Option 1, the Local Plan Working Group recommends Cabinet to:

(i)           Approve the documents attached at Annex A and Annex B, along with supporting information for public consultation.

Reason – The draft Village Design Statements follow in the footsteps of other previous examples that have been agreed; observing the general guidance and principles required in their production, whilst successfully defining the individual qualities of the villages and bringing forward appropriate Design Guidelines.

(ii)          Delegate to the Director of CES in consultation with the Cabinet Member the making of any incidental changes to the draft documents and supporting information as a result of recommendations of Cabinet.

Reason – so that changes recommended as a result of discussions at this meeting can be made, in liaison with the VDS group.

(iii)        Delegate to the director of City and Environment Services (CES) in consultation with the Cabinet Member the consultation strategy.

Reason – To ensure that the proposed methods of consultation are satisfactory to Members. The consultation process as suggested in paragraph 22 of the report follows the procedure established for other Village Design Statements at this stage of their production.