Issue - items at meetings - City Plan Part One - Changes arising from Examination Process

Report of the Executive Director for Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

That the Committee:

1.            Approves the proposed main modifications to the City Plan Part One set out in Appendix 2 that represent a major shift in policy in the City Plan.

2.            Notes the remaining proposed modifications set out in the Full Schedule (Appendix 3) and authorise that the Head of Planning and Public Protection may make any necessary minor amendments to the Full Schedule prior to public consultation;

3.            Approves a six week period of public consultation on the Full Schedule of Proposed Modifications to the Submission City Plan Part One (along with the new / updated supporting documents) commencing 4 November;

4.            Authorises the Head of Planning and Public Protection to agree any further draft “main modifications” to the City Plan Part One necessary to make it sound and to authorise the publication of such draft modifications for public consultation save that should any draft modification involve a major shift in the policy approach of the City Plan Part One the draft modification shall be referred by the Head of Planning and Public Protection to the Policy & Resources Committee for approval.

5.            Approves the following studies as supporting evidence for the City Plan and further Development Plan Documents (summarised in Appendix 4):

·         Sustainability Appraisal

·         Appropriate Assessment Update

·         Health and Equalities Impact Assessment Update

·         Transport Assessment Update

·         Exceptions and Sequential Test Update (flood risk)

·         Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment 2014 update

·         Urban Fringe Assessment Study

·         Assessment of Housing Development Needs Study: Sussex Coast Housing Market Area, May 2014

·         Housing Implementation Strategy

·         Addendum to the Infrastructure Delivery Plan

·         Combined Policy Viability Study Update

·         Duty to Cooperate Statement Update

56.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Environment, Development & Housing in relation to the City Plan Part One – Changes Arising from the Examination Process. The report sought approval to progress the City Plan Part One which was the city’s strategy for land use, development and infrastructure to 2030. The City Plan was of fundamental importance to the city’s future prosperity, and it provided an imperative for delivering much needed affordable homes and for encouraging sustainable development and high quality design. The report sought approval to go out to public consultation on the proposed changes to the Plan; the responses would be sent to the inspector.

56.2    Councillor Bowden stated that he supported the recommendations and hoped the Committee would agree the report. He highlighted the risks of proceeding without an agreed plan, and made reference to the potential financial consequences to the Council. If the report were not agreed at this point then it would largely undermine the volume of work that had already been undertaken by Officers.

56.3    Councillor G. Theobald stated that he could see little difference in this report to the one that had been withdrawn for the previous meeting of the Committee. He felt that identifying potential sites in the urban fringe for development would give the ‘green-light’ to developers to come forward with schemes on area of the city. In response the Chair noted that the direction of the report was in line with the wishes of the Inspector; who had requested that this study be undertaken – failure to agree this report would potential put much larger areas of the urban fringe at risk.

56.4    Councillor Morgan noted some of the development history of the city, and added that it was a necessity to protect parks and open green spaces whilst providing affordable homes. The Committee were urged to agree the report, and he stated that an adopted plan would allow the Council to better control development in the city. The report would not ‘condemn’ sites to development, and ensure the power of local determination would not be lost. He stated that the Labour Group wished to be honest and responsible; protect open spaces and allotments and provide new homes for residents.

56.5    Councillor Sykes noted that if the plan were not adopted then the main policy of relevance in the determination of Planning Applications would be the National Planning Policy Framework, and the local planning authority could be largely bypassed in the planning process.

56.6    The Chair noted the strategic necessity of the plan in terms of the city’s position in the Greater Brighton economic group.

56.7    Councillor Bowden added that neighbouring authorities would be able to supply some of the city’s housing need through greater co-operation.

56.8    The Chair then put the recommendation to the vote.

56.9RESOLVED: That the Committee:

1)        Approves the proposed main modifications to the City Plan Part One set out in Appendix 2 that represent a major shift in policy in the City Plan.

2)        Notes the remaining proposed modifications set out in the Full Schedule (Appendix 3) and authorise that the Head of Planning and Public Protection may make any necessary minor amendments to the Full Schedule prior to public consultation;

3)        Approves a six week period of public consultation on the Full Schedule of Proposed Modifications to the Submission City Plan Part One (along with the new / updated supporting documents) commencing 4 November;

4)        Authorises the Head of Planning and Public Protection to agree any further draft “main modifications” to the City Plan Part One necessary to make it sound and to authorise the publication of such draft modifications for public consultation save that should any draft modification involve a major shift in the policy approach of the City Plan Part One the draft modification shall be referred by the Head of Planning and Public Protection to the Policy & Resources Committee for approval.

5)        Approves the following studies as supporting evidence for the City Plan and further Development Plan Documents (summarised in Appendix 4):

·                Sustainability Appraisal

·                Appropriate Assessment Update

·                Health and Equalities Impact Assessment Update

·                Transport Assessment Update

·                Exceptions and Sequential Test Update (flood risk)

·                Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment 2014 update

·                Urban Fringe Assessment Study

·                Assessment of Housing Development Needs Study: Sussex Coast Housing Market Area, May 2014

·                Housing Implementation Strategy

·                Addendum to the Infrastructure Delivery Plan

·                Combined Policy Viability Study Update

·                Duty to Cooperate Statement Update

Report of the Executive Director for Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

That Policy & Resources Committee:

1)           Approve the proposed modifications to the City Plan Part One set out in Appendix 2 that represent a major shift in policy in the City Plan.

2)           Note the remaining proposed modifications set out in the Full Schedule (Appendix 3) and authorise that the Head of Planning and Public Protection may make any necessary minor amendments to the Full Schedule prior to public consultation;

3)           Approve a nine week period of public consultation on the Full Schedule of Proposed Modifications to the Submission City Plan Part One (along with new/ updated supporting documents) commencing 25^th July 2014;

4)           Authorise the Head of Planning and Public Protection to agree any further draft “main modifications” to the City Plan Part One necessary to make it sound and to authorise the publication of such draft modifications for public consultation save that should any draft modification involve a major shift in the policy approach of the City Plan Part One the draft modification shall be referred by the Head of Planning and Public Protection to the Policy and Resources Committee for approval.

5)           Approve the following studies as supporting evidence for the City Plan and further Development Plan Documents (summarised in Appendix 4):

·         Sustainability Appraisal

·         Appropriate Assessment Update

·         Health and Equalities Impact Assessment Update

·         Transport Assessment Update

·         Exceptions and Sequential Test Update (flood risk)

·         Draft Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment 2014 update

·         Urban Fringe Assessment Study

·         Assessment of Housing Development Needs Study: Sussex Coast Housing Market Area, May 2014

·         Housing Implementation Strategy

·         Addendum to the Infrastructure Delivery Plan

33.1    This item was deferred.