Local Plan Working Party Date: Wednesday, 30 October 2013 Time: 17:00 Venue: Supper Room Address: Town Hall, Hall Plain, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2QF AGENDA Open to Public and Press DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST You have a PERSONAL INTEREST in a matter being discussed at a meeting IF • It relates to something on your Register of Interests form; or • A decision on it would affect you, your family or friends more than other people in your Ward. You have a PREJUDICIAL INTEREST in a matter being discussed at a meeting IF • It affects your financial position or that of your family or friends more than other people in your Ward; or • It concerns a planning or licensing application you or they have submitted • AND IN EITHER CASE a reasonable member of the public would consider it to be so significant that you could not reach an unbiased decision. If your interest is only PERSONAL, you must declare it but can still speak and vote. If your interest is PREJUDICIAL, you must leave the room. However, you have the same rights as a member of the public to address the meeting before leaving. Page 1 of 229 1 Minutes 3 - 5 To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 22 July 2013. 2 Matters Arising To consider any matters arising from the above minutes. 3 Core Strategy Consultation To receive a verbal update in respect of the above. 4 Infrastructure Plan and Open Space Study 6 - 8 To consider the attached report and following documents: Draft Infrastructure Plan 9 - 66 Open Space Study 67 - 222 5 Duty to Co-operate 223 - 229 To consider the attached report which includes the following: (a) Broads Authority - Memorandum of Understanding (b) Norfolk-Wide District Members Meeting (9th October 2013) (c) Waveney District Council 6 Section 106 Working Party To receive an update in respect of the above. 7 Any Other Business To consider any other business as may be determined by the Chairman of the meeting as being of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration. Page 2 of 229 LARGER PRINT COPY AVAILABLE PLEASE TELEPHONE: 01493 846325 LOCAL PLAN WORKING PARTY 22 July 2013 – 5.00 pm PRESENT: Councillor Williamson (in the Chair); Councillors Castle, B Coleman, Hanton, Holmes, Linden, Stone, D Thompson and T Wainwright. Mr D Glason (Growth Group Manager), Miss S Slade and Miss K Stokes (Senior Strategic Planners) and Miss S Davis (Senior Member Services Officer). 1. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2013 were confirmed. 2. MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising from the above minutes. 3. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME 2013 UPDATE The Working Party received the Growth Manager’s report setting out the Local Plan documents that the Council intended to prepare, together with the timetable for their production. Members were reminded that this would replace the current LDS published in March 2013 by bringing together a number of updates made to the evidence base, including the emerging Strategic Housing Market Assessment. Several other pieces of work, including the Sustainability Appraisal and several Background Evidence Papers, were still outstanding which meant that the timetable for the Core Strategy and other emerging Local Plan Documents had been delayed by approximately two months. It was noted that the Site Allocation and Development Policies which had previously been two separate policies under the Local Development Framework had now been merged into one. RESOLVED: That the Growth Manager’s report be noted. 4. CORE STRATEGY UPDATE The Working Party received the Growth Manager’s report providing an update on progress of the preparation of the Core Strategy and suggested amendments made to the content of the Pre-Submission consultation document since the last meeting. It was also explained that some elements of the emerging evidence base would be finalised in the next few weeks and the findings within these documents might lead to some sections of the Core Strategy Page 3 of 229 needing to be amended slightly and where appropriate additional text added. A suggestion was made, therefore, that the Growth Manager in conjunction with the Working Party Chairman be granted delegated power to make these and any other minor changes. It was noted that there will be two static exhibitions at Gorleston Library and the Town Hall, together with mobile exhibitions at various sites around the Borough including Bradwell, Market Gates and Martham. With regard to the housing assessment details, it was agreed that figures for each area would be made available and not just percentages once Members agreed the targets later on in this meeting. The point was made that there was a need to look at the type and amount of land available for re-development bearing in mind flood plains in the Borough were a problem and a lot of land was under the Broads Authority’s jurisdiction. It was clarified that there was no longer a national priority for brownfield sites to be developed first which would help us meet our targets, although they still needed to be set at a realistic level. Reference was made to Policy CS2a) and the point was made that villages would also need to take their share of housing development. It was suggested, therefore, that wording be amended to reflect that limited quality growth would be acceptable with the idea of promoting inward investment. A discussion ensued in relation to the protection of the route alignment for the Third River Crossing and it was agreed that if the policy could not be changed to give it more emphasis to move the project forward then the wording should be amended to state that the policy “supports the development of the Third River Crossing by protecting the alignment…”. A suggestion was also made that Appendix C – Vision should be made more positive and reflect that the Borough was open for future growth not just projected local need, especially for high quality, low density housing in the town. The point was made that the housing would have to come first and the infrastructure and economic growth would follow. The Growth Manager reported that, if Members agreed the target of 380 as proposed in the consultants report, this would be very ambitious as the figure had only been achieved once in 15 years, however, it was felt that it would be achievable. Reference was made to the proposal for ten additional travellers’ pitches and the Senior Planner reported that this was discussed as part of the Development Plan and the point was made that many people did not know where the existing site was. RESOLVED: (i) That the Growth Manager’s report be noted and the Draft Core Strategy, as amended in the report and above, be published for a Pre-Submission Consultation in September 2013. (ii) That delegated power be given to the Growth Manager in conjunction with the Chairman to make final amendments to the Core Strategy prior to consultation in light of the emerging evidence base. Page 4 of 229 5. CORE STRATEGY HOUSING TARGET The Working Party received the Growth Manager’s report setting out the background to the proposed housing target. It was noted that the draft Strategic Housing Market Assessment had concluded that the objectively assessed need for housing was 430 dwellings per annum over the 15 year plan period, however, due to constraints and deliverability issues it was being suggested that this be reduced to 380 per annum (5,700) as a more realistic and deliverable target. Concern was expressed that the Environment Agency’s maps gave the wrong impression of the Borough’s flood risk and could deter developers. It was agreed, therefore, that our own maps would be used alongside theirs to give a more accurate picture with two zones showing eg flood risk areas and those in areas protected by sea defences. A discussion ensued regarding what the housing target should be set at and it was stressed to Members that the main priority was that the target had to be deliverable and achievable. The Senior Planner reported that officers had looked at land availability and completed a benefit and risk assessment of several different targets which had led to the suggested target of 380 dwellings per annum that was felt to be achievable. It was noted that planning consent had been granted for 766 dwellings borough-wide but these had not been built yet. RESOLVED: That the Growth Manager’s report be noted and the housing target be set at 380 dwellings per annum within the Core Strategy. 6. DRAFT EAST MARINE PLANS CONSULTATION The Growth Manager reported on the receipt of a letter from the Marine Management Organisation giving details of public consultation arrangements on England’s first draft marine plans. It was noted that drop-in sessions would be held throughout July and August around the East Coast if anyone wanted to attend. 7. CLOSURE OF MEETING The meeting ended at 6.10pm. Page 5 of 229 Subject: Infrastructure Plan and Open Space Study Report to: Local Plan Working Party - 30 October 2013 Report by: Growth Manager SUBJECT MATTER/RECOMMENDATIONS The Infrastructure Plan and Open Space Study form part of the evidence base for the Local Plan. The Infrastructure Plan sets out the infrastructure requirements to support the growth identified in the Core Strategy. The Open Space Study assesses open space within the Borough and recommends open space standards. RECOMMENDATION Members are asked to note the content of the Infrastructure Plan and Open Space Study. 1. INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN The Infrastructure Plan outlines how infrastructure will be put in place to facilitate the growth detailed within Local Plan documents and it should be read in conjunction with the Core Strategy.