Agenda item - Adoption of the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Sites Plan

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

107.1      RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND – That Council:

1)     Note the responses to the consultation on main modifications to the WMSP and  contents of the Inspector’s Report with his conclusion that the WMSP is legally compliant and ‘sound’;

2)     Adopt the WMSP, incorporating the Main Modifications and minor modifications, as part of the Development Plan for the City, subject to the Head of City Planning agreeing any further minor non-material changes to the text of the Waste and Minerals Plan with East Sussex County Council and the South Downs National Park Authority.

107.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture in relation to Adoption of the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Sites Plan. The purpose of the report is to inform the Committee and Council of the outcome of the Public Examination of the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Sites Plan (WMSP), and seek approval for the formal adoption of the Plan.

107.2      In response to Councillor Mac Cafferty, in relation to the reconciliation of imports, it was explained that the only feasible site was on the East Sussex/Kent boarder, a review would needed to be conducted once the policy was adopted to ensure compliance.

107.3      Councillor Janio highlighted his view that Hangleton Bottom was not an appropriate site for commercial waste transfer as identified in the plan; he proposed an amendment to remove the references to Hangleton Bottom in the report. He invited Councillor Hamilton to second the amendment as the site was close to the Ward he represented.

107.4      The Monitoring Officer highlighted that as the plan was a joint plan it had to be unilaterally agreed; were Brighton & Hove to amend it, it would mean that the plan would have to go back to a drafting stage as it should be approved as recommended by the Inspector.

107.5      Councillor Hamilton noted that he would not second or support the amendment as residents were happy with the current situation at the site.

107.6      Councillor G. Theobald formally seconded the amendment, he noted that the Conservative Group had voted against the inclusion of the site of many occasions and he argued that residents would prefer the site to be used for housing.

107.7      The Chair put the proposed amendment to the vote. This was not carried with 4 in support and 6 against.

107.8      The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote. These were carried with 6 in support and 4 against.

107.9      RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND – That Council:

1)     Note the responses to the consultation on main modifications to the WMSP and  contents of the Inspector’s Report with his conclusion that the WMSP is legally compliant and ‘sound’;

2)     Adopt the WMSP, incorporating the Main Modifications and minor modifications, as part of the Development Plan for the City, subject to the Head of City Planning agreeing any further minor non-material changes to the text of the Waste and Minerals Plan with East Sussex County Council and the South Downs National Park Authority.