Minutes of the LOCAL PLAN SUB-COMMITTEE held on WEDNESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2000 at 7.00 pm Present: Councillor Bristow (Chair) Councillors Benning, Clark, Hopkins, Lewis, Mabbutt, Morsley (substitute for Councillor Kilkenny), O’Sullivan, Pendry and Tapp Officers: D Hackforth (Head of Planning), I Haynes (Development Plans Manager), I Prosser (Principal Planning Officer), M Davies (Senior Planning Officer), A Feely (Education Planning Manager) and S Stares (Committee Manager) Apology: Councillor Kilkenny LP29/00 MINUTES RESOLVED - That the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 1999, be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record. LP30/00 VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT AND RURAL SCHOOLS The Sub-Committee considered a report on the results of consultations with parish councils of Emberton, Haversham, Lavendon, North Crawley, Clifton Reynes and Newton Blossomville, Sherington, Stoke Goldington and Wavendon regarding the desirability of limited development in these areas to support the viability of their local schools. It was noted that the comments of North Crawley Parish Council had been circulated at the meeting. The Development Plans Manager reported that no clear link had been found between the extent of development and the number of children on a school roll in any one area. No case had therefore been made to allocate further development to the areas above on these grounds. LOCAL PLAN 23 FEBRUARY 2000 PAGE 1 SUB-COMMITTEE L:\Resources IT\mel\Minutes to be converted\1999-00\enl_Minutes_236182_MINUTES.doc RESOLVED - 1. That it be concluded from the report that additional housing is not required to maintain the viability of the schools in Emberton, Haversham, Lavendon, Newton Blosomville, North Crawley, Sherington, Stoke Goldington or Wavendon. 2. That trends in pupil numbers at villages schools and housing completions continue to be monitored, and reported on a regular basis to the School Organisation Committee and the Local Plan Sub-Committee. LP31/00 FIRST DEPOSIT PLAN: DRAFT POLICIES The Sub-Committee considered drafts of the non-strategic policies for the Deposit Local Plan, which had been drawn up on the basis of the statements on intent considered at the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 21 October 1999 (Minute LP12/00 refers). It was noted that the results of further internal consultation with officers, and the latest government advice in PPG12, had also been taken into account in the formation of these policies. The Sub-Committee considered as part of this the issues of shopping development in Central Milton Keynes, and the policies on a multi- purpose stadium and travellers’ sites. The Sub-Committee considered in detail the proposed policies, and made the following comments: Policy S4 Officers confirmed that this policy would replace PH3 in the Adopted Local Plan. Policy S5 Consideration of this policy to be deferred until after the Environment Committee had further considered recent reports relating to CMK. Policy D2 The word “texture” to be added to D2(vi). Policy T12 Query whether the link road proposed in the EDAW study on Bletchley Regeneration (between Watling Street and Sherwood Drive) should to be added to the list of road and rail improvement schemes. Policy T15 The word “should” to be replaced by the word “must”. LOCAL PLAN 23 FEBRUARY 2000 PAGE 2 SUB-COMMITTEE L:\Resources IT\mel\Minutes to be converted\1999-00\enl_Minutes_236182_MINUTES.doc Policy T17 This policy should allow for traffic calming measures to be implemented in other areas, in addition to those specifically stated. Policy H12 To be deferred for consideration following the meeting of the Travellers’ Joint Planning Forum scheduled for 16 March 2000. Broad policy agreed Policy E3 The issue of an employment site in Olney to be deferred for further consideration. Policy E13 To be deferred for further consideration of concerns relating to the timing of development and highway improvements. Town Centre and Shopping Policies It was noted that the hierarchy of centres would be included in the supporting text rather than in a policy, to include reference to Bletchley as the second centre of Milton Keynes, as per Policy S6. Policy CC2 Suggestions of CB Hillier Parker accepted: that (a) in (i) the words “a quantitative need for” be replaced with the words “the proposed”, (b) in (ii) the following be added: “including those in towns outside the Council’s area”. Policies CC5 and CC7 To be deferred until the Environment Committee had further considered recent reports relating to CMK. Policy L12 Concern was expressed that the matter of deciding what constituted “excessive” levels of traffic (in (ii)) was arbitrary. It was agreed to replace the wording in (ii) with the wording from Policy T10 (i). It was clarified that “commercial leisure” was one item, and should not be read as “commercial, leisure”. Policy L13 The Denbigh North site was agreed as the preferred site for a new multi-purpose stadium. Members stated that access to the rail connection near to this site should be ensured (such as a pedestrian link or shuttle bus). It should also be ensured that any enabling development on the site would be complimentary to the regeneration of LOCAL PLAN 23 FEBRUARY 2000 PAGE 3 SUB-COMMITTEE L:\Resources IT\mel\Minutes to be converted\1999-00\enl_Minutes_236182_MINUTES.doc Bletchley. It was agreed to replace the wording in (iii) with the wording from Policy T10 (i), as per Policy L12. Policy C3 Concern was expressed that no provision was proposed for new meeting halls in the villages (particularly Haversham). Policy C4 “Oxley Park” to be deleted from (iv). The issue of a secondary school in Olney to be deferred. RESOLVED - That the proposed non-strategic policies, outlined in the report, be approved for inclusion in the first Deposit version of the new Local Plan, subject to the comments expressed by Members. LP32/00 WHITNEY AND OXLEY PARK GRID SQUARES: PROPOSED LAND USE CHANGES The Sub-Committee considered the strategic implications of the land use changes proposed in the planning application for Shenley Common Farm (98/1271/MK). It was noted that letters from David Lock Associates and Chapman Warren in relation to this had been circulated at the meeting. It was also noted that a letter of response from the Council had been circulated to Members of the Environment, Development Control and Local Plan Sub-Committees. RESOLVED - 1. That no objection be raised to the land use changes proposed for Whitney and Oxley Park as part of the application for Shenley Common Farm (98/1271/MK), subject to the satisfactory outcome of further discussions regarding the impact of development on the Oxley Mead SSSI. 2. That the Development Control Committee be notified of these views and a copy of this report be included with the next officer report on this application to that Committee. 3. That, subject to 1., the proposed land use changes be included on the Proposals Map of the new Deposit Version of the new Local Plan. 4. That the proposed re-briefing of the Whitney and Oxley Park grid squares by the applicants and English Partnerships, under the direction of this Council, be noted and supported. LOCAL PLAN 23 FEBRUARY 2000 PAGE 4 SUB-COMMITTEE L:\Resources IT\mel\Minutes to be converted\1999-00\enl_Minutes_236182_MINUTES.doc LP33/00 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER STUDY The Sub-Committee considered a report on the findings and implications of a study of landscape character and wildlife in the Borough, undertaken by Landscape Design Associates. The study was intended to inform the Local Plan Review process and guide the Council’s landscape and wildlife management work. The Sub Committee noted that an addendum paper had been circulated concerning additional wildlife sites within Potential City expansion Area 10.4. The Chair adjourned the meeting during consideration of this item in order to hear the views of a representative of Little Brickhill Parish Council. RESOLVED - 1. That the Milton Keynes Landscape Character Study be noted. 2. That copies of the Study be made available for purchase at a price of £30, copies being sent to local libraries and interest groups, and summaries sent to relevant Parish and Town Councils. 3. That proposals to amend to the existing boundaries of the Ouse Valley and Brickhill Areas of Attractive Landscape (AAL) be progressed and incorporated in the first deposit version of the new Local Plan as follows: (a) East of A509 and North East Sherington Consultation to be arranged with the Members for this Ward regarding the possibility of excluding this area from the Ouse Valley AAL. (b) Area at head of the minor valley around Petsoe Manor Consultation to be arranged with the Members for this Ward regarding the possibility of excluding this area from the Ouse Valley AAL. (c) Land East of Olney within Ouse Valley floor The Ouse Valley AAL to be extended to include this area. (d) Land to East of Olney and South of Lavendon The Ouse Valley AAL to be extended to include this area. (e) Linford Lakes Area The Ouse Valley AAL to be extended to include this area. 4. That the proposed deletion of land south of the A5 and east of the Fenny Stratford bypass form the Brickhills AAL be not approved, for the following reasons: LOCAL PLAN 23 FEBRUARY 2000 PAGE 5 SUB-COMMITTEE L:\Resources IT\mel\Minutes to be converted\1999-00\enl_Minutes_236182_MINUTES.doc (a) The land is similar in character to land north of the A5 (b) It forms an important part of the open aspect in views to the higher ground to the east, towards Little Brickhill and Great Brickhill 5. That the designation of two Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and 18 Biological/Alert sites, and the general recommendations of the Panel of Local Specialists responsible for SINC selection, be approved LP34/00 MINERALS AND WASTE LOCAL PLAN RESOLVED - That consideration of the minerals and waste local plan be deferred to the meeting of the Local Plan Sub-Committee scheduled for 16 March 2000.