1 Development Policy Panel (9.9.15)
EAST HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL
At a meeting of the Development Policy Panel held on 9 September 2015
Present
Councillor: A Glass (Chairman)
Councillors: G Shepherd (Vice-Chairman), D Evans, L Evans, G Hill, M Kendall, C Louisson, K Moon, S Schillemore, I Thomas and A Williams
1 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Brooks Jackson and S Pond.
2 Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
3 Chairman's Announcements
There were no Chairman’s announcements.
4 Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2015 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.
5 East Hampshire District Local Plan Part 3 - Development Management Policies and Other Allocations
Simon Jenkins, Executive Manager, Planning Policy, Heritage and Compliance introduced the report. A copy of the presentation is attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes.
He gave an overview of the current position, the Joint Core Strategy (Part 1), Housing & Employment Allocations (Part 2) and the saved Policies from the 2nd Review Local Plan 2006 (Part 3).
There had been a initial review of the saved policies which had included an internal workshop of Planning Officers. This had identified:
Key policies; Policies where additional detail was required; Policy voids; New allocations required; and Allocation boundary revisions.
He also discussed the position on Neighbourhood Plans, some of which were well advanced including Alton, Bentley and Medstead and Four Marks. In 2 Development Policy Panel (9.9.15) addition there were Designation Orders in place in Ropley and Bramshott & Liphook, Bentworth had also recently advertised a Designation Order.
It was important to review the policies to ensure that they reflected government policy.
He explained that the new allocations referred to in the document concerned Gypsy and Traveller sites. More work was required around evidence and sites and that was why these allocations were not included in Part 2. It was important that it be identified now, as there was a need to explain to the Inspector that the Council was addressing the missing parts of the allocation plan.
In response to a question on why this was being undertaken in light of the proposed devolution plan for Hampshire and new sites for affordable housing. It was explained that the allocations for the plan period were enshrined in the Part 2 Plan which was in conformity with the JCS. The devolution agenda concentrated on early delivery rather than additional new homes.
In response to a question as to whether Parish Councils should start producing a Neighbourhood Plan it was explained that a plan would suit some parish’s better than others.
The Panel discussed affordable housing, social housing and the five year land supply.
Victoria Potts, Planning Policy Team Leader took the Panel through the draft document which was divided into:
Sustainable Economic Development; Sustainable Communities; Natural and Built Environment; Transport & Access Infrastructure, Implementation and Monitoring; Review of Boundaries; and Supporting Documents.
It was explained that a ‘valuable bad neighbour activity’ could be a car workshop in a residential area and that this was a non-technical term which would not be used in the Plan.
Suggestions and comments for the document included:
There was a need to strengthen the employment sites; To include a better a description for a garden centre; A requirement to specify what type of accommodation was required on an equestrian development; A minimum not a maximum parking standard; A definition for high-speed broadband to be added; and A requirement for solar farms to revert back to their original use after 25 years. 3 Development Policy Panel (9.9.15)
It was confirmed that a consultation would be undertaken on proposed changes to the Settlement Policy Boundaries and suggested that the Community Forums might be one way of doing this.
In response to a question it was also confirmed that new Gaps between Settlements could be created and proposals maps drawn to show them in detail.
Simon Jenkins briefly explained the next steps for the document. It was proposed to take a report to Cabinet on 5 November 2015, with a targeted consultation as part of the duty to cooperate anticipated to commence in mid November. In addition there would be further engagement within the Council and with key external stakeholders. Additional evidence gathering to support the development of the policy would also be undertaken.
The Panel RECOMMENDED to Cabinet that an initial public consultation on the proposed structure be undertaken in the Winter of 2015.
The meeting commenced at 6.30 pm and concluded at 9.28 pm
15/09/2015
Introduction Planning Policy Current Policies
EHDC LOCAL PLAN:
Housing and DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT Joint Core Saved Employment Policies 2nd Strategy AND ALLOCATIONS Allocations Review Local (Part 1) (Part 2) Plan 2006 SEPTEMBER 2015
Introduction How did we get here?
What is the Local Plan Part 3? Initial review of current policy framework How is this linked to Neighbourhood Planning? Internal Workshop (Planning) Outcomes Identified key policies Housing and Development Joint Core Identified policies where additional detail is required Employment Management Strategy and Identified policy voids Allocations (Part 1) Allocations (Part 2) (Part 3) New allocations required Allocation boundary revisions
Adopted Neighbourhood Plans
Sustainable Economic Development Sustainable Communities
Employment Housing Strategic & Locally Important Employment Sites (A) Proposals Affecting Existing Residential (C3) Uses Other Employment Sites within SPBs Housing and Extra Care Provision for the Elderly (A) Rural Economy Creation/conversion of annexes Equestrian Development Rural Exception Site Allocations (A) Starter Homes (A) Retail Self-build (A) Primary and Secondary Shopping Frontages (A) Local and District Shopping Centres (A) Space Standards for dwellings Retail Impact Assessments Gypsy, Travellers and Travelling Show People (A)
Loss of Tourism facilities Community Facilities
Telecommunications Open Space, Sport and Recreation (A)
1 15/09/2015
Natural and Built Environment Boundary Reviews
Amenity Impacts of new development Development on Residential Gardens Settlement Policy Boundaries Special Housing Character and Areas (A) Gaps between Settlements
Commercial Renewable/Low Carbon Energy Generation Retail Frontages / Shopping Centres Vehicle Parking Standards Special Housing Character and Areas
Protected Trees* Heritage Policies*
The Next Steps
Take report to Cabinet 5th November Targeted consultation as part of the Duty to Cooperate Anticipated to commence mid November
Further engagement internally and with key external stakeholders Evidence gathering to support policy development
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