Appendix a SANDLEFORD PARK SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING
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Appendix A SANDLEFORD PARK SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT Statement of Consultation Regulation 12 (a) Public Participation of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 September 2013 Statement of Consultation Introduction All Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) are required to be prepared in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2012. This Statement therefore explains how the Council has met the particular requirements set out in Regulation 12 (a) of the 2012 Regulations in the production of the Sandleford Park SPD. This Statement indicates the formal and informal consultation and community involvement West Berkshire Council has conducted in the preparation of the SPD. It outlines: 1. the persons consulted as part of the SPD preparation; 2. a summary of the main issues raised; and 3. how these issues have been addressed in the SPD. Sustainability Appraisal Under the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, Sustainability Appraisal is not required to be carried out for SPDs. Despite this it is still necessary to determine the need for SEA in case the SPD gives rise to significant effects which have not been formally assessed previously. Therefore a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Report has been carried out to assess whether an SEA is required for the SPD. Following consultation with the three statutory bodies it has been confirmed that an SEA of the Sandleford Park SPD was not needed under the SEA Directive and Regulations because it has been demonstrated that there will be no significant environmental effects as a result of the SPD. Public Participation Early consultation and stakeholder engagement is a vital component to the preparation of any planning document. In producing this draft SPD the Council has engaged with the Parish Council, local community, landowners, Ward Members and other key stakeholders to ensure the views and considerations of those with an interest in the document have been taken into account throughout its preparation. Stakeholder Event An event for key stakeholders was held on 16 October 2012, attended by representatives of parish and town councils, local schools and organisations and local Ward Members. Presentations from West Berkshire Council and from the site promoters were given, followed by a question and answer session. A number of stakeholders followed up on the meeting with more detailed comments, which are included in Stakeholder Comments following Event Public Consultation Event A community planning event was held at Newbury Rugby Club on 25 October 2012. This was run as a drop-in event between 2pm and 8pm and was widely advertised, including a leaflet drop to the houses in close proximity to the site, posters in local shops and libraries and a press release. Exhibition boards were displayed which included questions to stimulate comments and discussion. Visitors were encouraged to add their comments on post-it notes and a comment form was also available, setting out the questions from the exhibition boards. These could either be completed at the event, or were available to be completed on-line. The exhibition boards were also available on line on the Sandleford Park SPG page of the Council's website. Statutory Public Consultation In accordance with the relevant Planning Regulations, the Council formally consulted on the draft SPD for a six week period. This period ran from 22nd March 2013 to 3rd May 2013. In order to publicise the event: • A statutory notice and press release was placed within the Newbury Weekly News. • All documentation was placed on the Council’s dedicated webpage (www.westberks.gov.uk/sandleford ). • Posters were put up in locations throughout southern Newbury. • Correspondence was sent to all consultees on the Council’s LDF database (approximately 2,000 people, including adjoining authorities and statutory consultees), all Parishes and neighbourhood parishes; all Members, all Heads of Service and a selection of relevant internal officers. The landowner’s agents were also kept fully informed. • All relevant documentation was placed within all libraries across the District. During the consultation period, a public consultation event was held at Newbury Rugby Club. The event ran from 3.30 pm through to 8.30 pm and was well attended throughout the event. Officers and representatives of the agent for the site were in attendance to discuss the draft SPD with members of the public. Overall the Council received 96 representations on the SPD from 69 contributing consultees. These figures include 5 late responses from 3 contributing consultees. The consultation representations together with the Council’s proposed responses to each representation are attached as Appendix 5. Stakeholder Event Introduction An event for key stakeholders was held on 16 October 2012, the purpose of which was to discuss the next steps in the planning of the Sandleford Park development, and to give stakeholders an opportunity to give their early comments. The event was well attended and included representatives from Newbury Town Council, Greenham Parish Council, Newbury Town Council, local churches, local schools and Newbury College, sports clubs as well as local ward Members. Background information about the site was sent out in advance in the form of a briefing note. A list of attendees is set out in Attendees at Stakeholder Event . Presentations from West Berkshire Council and from the site promoters (White Young Green) were given. These emphasised that the principle for development on the site had already been agreed and focused instead on: • The technical work that has been carried out to date, • A discussion about detailed options for the way in which the the site could be delivered, and • Information about the proposed next stages of the planning process including further consultation events. The presentations were followed by a question, answer and comment session. The questions and comments were diverse, and summarised below. These questions and issues raised were considered as the work on the SPD progressed. Question and Answer Session Diane Smith, Greenham Parish Council 4 points: • Bus stops and shelter – who will own and manage? • Salt bins, where will they be provided • Suggestion that get together on car club with Newbury Racecourse. • The need for purpose built building within the development as an office for Greenham Parish council. Response : There is potential for community facilities on site. Detailed points would be picked up in the SPD and/or the planning application. Peter Norman. Say No to Sandleford (SNTS) Development is far closer to Wash Common than Greenham, which may present opportunity to redraw boundary along A339. Phil Barnett, Newbury Town Council and Greenham Parish Council There is a need for primary schools and would like to see Park House extended. Need to encourage pupils to go to local schools and reduce the need to travel. Response : Educational needs will change over time; the CS Policy envisages one primary school, initially 1 form entry, however this requirement has increased. There is space on site to provide the solution. Roger Hunneman , - in private capacity If Rugby Club were to want to sell up, how would that fit in with the plan? Sean Bates : Newbury Rugby Club Rugby Club does not speak in the community, however needs to start to discuss a multi-sport facility and becoming more part of community. Response : Not aware of any impending change to the ownership of the Rugby Club but there is nothing regarding the site that would create a problem for the Sandleford development. Anthony Pick , Newbury Town Council and Newbury Society Support request for facilities for Greenham Parish Council. There is a lack of affordable social facilities for voluntary organisations. He did not think the cycle lane/shared with footpath on Monks Lane was much used by cyclists. The buses on Andover Road currently only run every 2 hours. Bruce Blaine, St George's Church Question about phasing of homes and infrastructure. Community facilities at St George’s are well used so facilities will need to be provided early. Infrastructure needs to be integrated. Response : The process we are now undertaking, particularly the consultation, will help shape how we establish the best locations for facilities. Delivery will be in phases and envisaged developing from north to south. Eugene Futcher : Scout Association Need more facilities for young people. Scout groups are all full, meeting every night of the week in Wash Common. Raised the possibility of shared community facilities. Gabrielle McGarvey : Newbury Town Council and Say No To Sandleford 4 main points • On site renewable energy. What percentage of dwellings will be supplied via embedded renewables? Disappointed at Racecourse but here could have fantastic showcase for renewable energy. • If only 20% of households have domestic animals, could have 400 dogs and cats and questioned effect on ecological value of woodlands – impact on birds and small mammals • How to ensure continuity of bus service over lifetime of development • Each dwelling should be provided with sufficient lockable cycle store facilities. Response: • Renewables very important. The policy is clear what is required but question of balance. Need to consider appearance of photovoltaics on roofs. The West Berkshire adopted policies now being used as example of best practice nationally. • The question of dogs and cats