Agenda item

(Director of Governance) To Consider the attached consultation report.

The Forward Planning Manager, Mr White introduced the consultation report from the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) on its Park Development Framework. While it was not a planning authority, there was a duty to prepare plans for the management and development of the park.

The most recent Park Plan was adopted in 2000 and this Park Development Framework was intended to replace it. For the purpose of the consultation the park had been split into 8 areas. We were concerned with areas 6, 7 and 8. This was the last of the consultations for this plan.

The proposals in the consultation document were generally in line with the statutory duties of the Park Authority. Subject to the detail of individual projects, the Council should be supportive of these proposals, as they were in line with the original purposes of the Park and relevant policies of the current Local Plan and Alterations and the National Planning Policy Framework.

However, there were two matters within the proposals which were of concern. Firstly, a significant number of new buildings were being suggested to support implementation of the proposals, particularly in Area 6 and a lot of these were in the green belt. The consultation document generally acknowledges the need to take account of Green Belt location for most of these suggestions, but the proposals could still amount to a significant amount of development with implications for the openness of the Green Belt.

Secondly, there was the casual reference to the use of Compulsory Purchase Powers for large areas of glasshouses etc. The document also indicates that it was likely that the Authority would resist major redevelopment or expansion of new large-scale glasshouse uses.

Members noted that recently the Council had formed the Lea Valley Food Task Force.  This was established about two years ago to consider the future of the glasshouse industry and to work with adjoining authorities (including the Park Authority), commercial growers, their umbrella organisations including the Lea Valley Growers Association, to consider new policy approaches for supporting and encouraging the industry, taking into account factors such as food security and food miles. The intention was to develop a standard policy approach in new Local Plans, supportive of the glasshouse industry, across local authority boundaries as an example of positive co-operation.

The proposed use of compulsory purchase powers came as a surprise to both the Council and the Lea Valley Growers Association and when questioned the LVRPA gave some unsatisfactory answers. As a result, the Lea Valley Growers Association and the chairman of the Food Task Force have both formally asked for the consultation to be withdrawn. The Park Authority has declined these requests but had advised that, once the current consultation process had been completed, the draft proposals would be reviewed, taking on board the comments of the industry and all other stakeholders. A second round of consultation would be held in the summer of this year.

The Authority had also advised that it is not its intention to use compulsory purchase powers to undermine existing businesses. The powers would be used to prevent areas which may become redundant from being lost to inappropriate built development within the Park. While this may be the case, the words used in the consultation were not clear on this point.

Councillor Girling commented that there was no mention of the Traveller Community in the document. Did the LVRPA have to provide sites for them? Mr White replied that this was not one of their statutory duties.

Councillor Keska asked if there was any indication how the compulsory purchases were to be funded? Mr White did not know but added that the growers had asked where they would find approximately £100million to buy up the economically active glasshouse sites.

Councillor Murray said that the recommendations were very sound, recommendation (3) objecting to the proposed compulsory purchase powers as currently worded seemed like the right thing to do.

Councillor Bassett said that as the Chairman of the Food Task Force they were very disappointed about this. When they asked about this they were assured  that what was written was not what was meant. The LVRPA had sought a judicial review of a permission for significant glasshouse expansion at a nursery in Paynes Lane, Nazeing. This will be considered at the High Court in late March this year. The glasshouses had been there for 150 years and was the source of a lot of employment in the surrounding area. It was right to express our views on our disappointment about this proposal. But they have now said that they would re-consult on this.

Councillor Rolfe asked what they meant by compulsory purchase and had we taken this as far as we can go. Mr White said that it was to buy up areas that are derelict or not compatible.

Councillor Sartin said she was told that it was an unfortunate use of words by officers of the LVRPA . Hopefully they would not compulsory purchase thriving businesses only derelict places. 

RESOLVED:

(1)      That the overall approach of the proposals in the context of the statutory functions of the Park Authority, ie in relation to sport and recreation, leisure, education and landscape, heritage and nature conservation be supported;

(2)      That concern be expressed about the possible extent of new building being proposed in the Green Belt, especially in Area 6;

(3)      To object to proposals, as currently worded, concerning the use of compulsory purchase powers in relation to a number of glasshouse sites and other long-standing commercial uses within the Park;

(4)      That the Park Authority be encouraged to work more closely with the Lea Valley Growers Association and individual growers to advance schemes for land swaps to benefit both the Park and the glasshouse industry; and

(5)      To encourage the Park Authority to reconsider its attitude towards the glasshouse industry in the light of the National Planning Policy Framework, the on-going work of the Lea Valley Food Task Force,  the Authority’s stated support for continued agricultural use of land, and the potential educational and heritage resource which the industry could represent within the Park.