Issue - items at meetings - Toad’s Hole Valley Supplementary Planning Document – Draft SPD Consultation

Report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture (copy attached).

RESOLVED – That the Economic Development & Culture Committee:

1)        Notes the responses of the early stakeholder consultation on the Issues and Options paper for a Toad’s Hole Valley Supplementary Planning Document used to inform the preparation of a Draft Supplementary Planning Document for this site;

2)        Gives authority to consult on the Draft Toad’s Hole Valley Supplementary Planning Document and accompanying Strategic Environmental Assessment which will inform the preparation of the final version of the document and to authorise the Head of Planning to may make any necessary minor editorial/grammatical amendments to the Draft Supplementary Planning Document prior to consultation.

3)        That the following sentence be inserted into Clause 4.28 on page 16 of the Draft Toad’s Hole Valley Supplementary Planning Document:

“Custom-build, self-build, community land trust and co-operative will be encouraged in order to both facilitate this aim and to promote the involvement of local businesses and creative professionals.”

49.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Economy in relation to Toad’s Hole Valley Supplementary Planning Document – Draft SPD Consultation. The report provided a summary of the responses received as a result of the consultation on the Toad’s Hole Valley Issues and Options paper and sought agreement to consult on a Draft Supplementary Planning Document for Toad’s Hole Valley.

49.2    In response to Councillor Greenbaum it was explained that the site in the north-east corner of the wider site was not under the same ownership. The owners were not compelled to submit a joint application, and Officers were not of the view that it would prejudice the wider site, and they were satisfied that the application met the requirements of the policy. The Council had commissioned a feasibility study for district heating across the wider site.

49.3    In response to Councillor Druitt it was explained that the consultation would utilise systems the Council already had in place to ensure networks such as residents meetings were engaged.

49.4    The Chair noted there was an amendment from the Conservative Group and called on Councillor Nemeth to propose this. Councillor Nemeth stated that he hoped to strengthen the policy by allowing for custom and self build, as well ensure the involvement of householders and local people.

49.5    Councillor Peltzer Dunn formally seconded the amendment.

49.6    Officers clarified that the Council was under duty to grant permission for self-service plots; there was a requirement to identify sites and keep a register.

49.7    Councillor Cattell noted she was uncomfortable with the prospect of a large number of custom builds and felt the strength of much of the city’s architecture was in its uniformity.

49.8    In response to Councillor Druitt it was highlighted that this was an acceptable amendment in planning terms, and it would be considered as part of the planning process. Councillor Druitt put to Councillor Nemeth that the wording of his amendment could be modified to also make reference to community land trust and co-operative housing; Councillor Nemeth noted he was happy to accept these additions.

49.9    The Chair then put this amendment to the vote. This was carried unanimously.

49.10  Councillor Cattell noted she was delighted that this report was coming forward and thanked the work undertaken by Officers.

49.11  Councillor Morris welcomed the report, and noted that he hoped underground refuse management would be picked up through the course of the application.

49.12  The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote.

49.13  RESOLVED – That the Economic Development & Culture Committee:

1)        Notes the responses of the early stakeholder consultation on the Issues and Options paper for a Toad’s Hole Valley Supplementary Planning Document used to inform the preparation of a Draft Supplementary Planning Document for this site;

2)        Gives authority to consult on the Draft Toad’s Hole Valley Supplementary Planning Document and accompanying Strategic Environmental Assessment which will inform the preparation of the final version of the document and to authorise the Head of Planning to may make any necessary minor editorial/grammatical amendments to the Draft Supplementary Planning Document prior to consultation.

3)        That the following sentence be inserted into Clause 4.28 on page 16 of the Draft Toad’s Hole Valley Supplementary Planning Document:

“Custom-build, self-build, community land trust and co-operative will be encouraged in order to both facilitate this aim and to promote the involvement of local businesses and creative professionals.”