Issue - meetings

(Director of Planning & Economic Development) To consider the attached report (LPC-006-2012/13).

The Forward Planning Manager presented an update report on the Local Plan process following the conclusion of the Issues & Options consultation.

The Forward Planning Manager stated that the Issues & Options consultation had started on 30 July and concluded on 15 October 2012. There had been much local interest generated over the consultation and a large number of representations had been submitted as a result. The Drop-In sessions had been well attended and public engagement was generally constructive. The total number of representations received had been 5,773 of which 124 were from statutory bodies, 275 from landowners, 3,158 from residents, and 2,216 signatories from local groups. The information from the consultation would be used to inform a series of Member workshops aimed at District, Town and Parish Councillors. These had been scheduled for 26 January, 9 February and 2 March 2013.

The Forward Planning Manager reported that the Council was now focused on processing and analysing the representations in order to progress to the next stage of the Local Plan process, the Preferred Options. The Forward Planning team was also focusing on commissioning, progressing and completing key pieces of evidence work that would inform the Local Plan:

(i)         A final draft copy of the Carbon Reduction and Renewable Energy Assessment report had now been received;

(ii)        An update of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment would be discussed at the December meetings of the Essex Planning Officers Association and the Essex Housing Officers Group;

(iii)       Officers had been in discussions with the Glasshouse Industry to identify suitable areas for land for future Glasshouse development;

(iv)       Officers were interviewing three consultants to deliver the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 2 for the preferred sites;

(v)        A Transport Assessment for the preferred sites;

(vi)       URS (Scott Wilson) had been approached to be the Council’s ‘Critical Friend’ for the Sustainability Appraisal; and

(vii)      Delivery of the DVD’s to the local Traveller community was expected to begin next week, and the DVD would be published on the Council’s website.

In addition, Officers were considering commissioning a study of the brownfield sites within the District to identify further areas for development, a Dispersion Modelling Assessment of Air Quality at the identified preferred sites, and possibly further work on Economic Development within the District.

The Chairman stated that all the identified brownfield sites would be highlighted in one document to see if any had been missed. Any brownfield sites that were too small to accommodate at least six properties would be classed as ‘windfall’ sites. Harlow District Council had received 4,000 responses to their Issues & Options consultation, but 75% of these had come from the Stop Harlow North pressure group. This Council’s responses had been more widespread and constructive. Preliminary meetings had taken place with Harlow District Council about potential developments that could impact upon the District, as well as Uttlesford District Council concerning potential developments at Stansted Airport. A strategic review of North Weald Airfield was being undertaken, and the Council was in discussions with One  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21

(Planning Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (LPC-003-2012/13).

(1)        That the progress made with consultation on the ‘Local Plan Issues & Options – Community Choices’ document be noted.

The Forward Planning Manager presented a progress report on the consultation for the Local Plan ‘Issues & Options – Community Choices’ document.

The Forward Planning Manager reported that public consultation on the Local Plan ‘Issues & Options – Community Choices’ document commenced on 30 July 2012, and would run for 11 weeks until 15 October 2012. Press briefings had been held in July and leaflets advertising the dates and locations of the public drop-in sessions had been delivered to every household and business in the District. Problems with the delivery of leaflets in Chigwell had been resolved, and possible further problems in Ninefields, Waltham Abbey were being investigated. A total of 14 drop-in sessions throughout the District had been planned, and details had been sent to all Town and Parish Councils, as well as being posted on the Council’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Forward Planning Manager advised that letters had been sent to a variety of consultees and groups advertising the consultation, and specific hard-to-reach groups had been targeted to ensure they were aware of the consultation. There would be an exhibition in the Civic Offices throughout the consultation period, and temporary exhibitions would be staged in local libraries around the District. The number of responses to the consultation had started to increase following the first of the drop-in sessions taking place, and it was expected that more responses would be received as the consultation period progressed.

The Chairman added that a meeting had taken place between the Lea Valley growers, the National Farmers Union and the Local Strategic Partnership to discuss the recent Glass House Industry report, and work on some of the issues raised in respect of the Green Belt and Parkland areas, to enable the growers to concentrate on food production. The Local Strategic Partnership would lead this process, and the outcome would be reported back to the Cabinet Committee.

There were further claims made about the non-delivery of leaflets in other areas by Members present at the meeting. The Forward Planning Manager responded that the Council had access to telemetric data about the leaflet deliveries, but Officers could investigate further the details of any roads that had not been delivered to. The Chairman stated that further resources had been made available to hold extra local meetings, for which press releases would be issued, but the public could telephone Officers with questions at any time. A DVD would be made for distribution amongst the Gypsy & Traveller community, and this would also be made available on the Council’s website with copies available on request to the public. The Cabinet Committee was reminded that local Parish Magazines could also be used to disseminate information.

A local Member for Chigwell Village reported that there was huge suspicion in the Chigwell area. Residents believed that this was not a consultation, and that the Local Plan had already been finalised with building on Green Belt land in the area proposed. It was also felt that the consultation had been poorly put together  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13