Agenda item

To consider the attached report.

Mover:  Councillor Collins – Leader of the Council and Chairman of the Local Development Framework Cabinet Committee

The Leader submitted a report on the West Essex Local Investment Plan which had been considered by the Local Development Framework Cabinet Committee and the Cabinet.  Councillor Collins advised that the Homes and Communities Agency required all local authorities to produce a Local Investment Plan setting out its approach to development in its district over a three year period.  Members noted that the Homes and Communities Agency would not provide funding for affordable housing and infrastructure in districts where the local authority had not produced a Local Investment Plan.

The Leader reported that at the suggestion of the Homes and Communities Agency, in view of the proposed growth of Harlow, which could potentially involve and affect neighbouring districts to Harlow, the three West Essex Local Authorities, together with Harlow Renaissance, Essex County Council and others had been working together to produce a joint Local Investment Plan for West Essex.

In response to concerns expressed by members about emphasis being placed on the growth of Harlow, the Leader acknowledged that one of the key aims of the Plan was to support the growth of Harlow as a sub-regional centre.  She pointed out however that there were no statements or commitments given as to the way such support would be provided by this Council, or to the extent of such support.  She emphasised the importance of consultation and taking residents’ views into account.

Some members also expressed concern about the delay in progressing a development brief for the St John’s Road area in Epping.  The Leader acknowledged some delay but pointed out that the land was in different ownerships and those owners had different views on how to proceed as a result of which it was proving to be a very challenging exercise. In addition she advised that further traffic survey work was required on the various options before public consultation could be undertaken. She assured members that all the previously identified possible options would be part of a consultation exercise with residents and that she would ensure that the consultants working on the brief proceeded without undue delay.

Report as first moved ADOPTED

            RESOLVED:

            (1)        That the West Essex Local Investment Plan (LIP) be adopted, subject to an exchange of letters taking place between the Chief Executives of the three local authorities in West Essex, following formal resolutions by the relevant executive bodies of each local authority, confirming that:

            (a)        each District Council gives a commitment that it will not seek to instigate a boundary change in respect of any areas where new housing is developed close to its boundary, other than through mutual agreement with the reasons; and

            (b)        if a boundary change is instigated by a third party, the affected councils will work together to ensure that any proposed changes are not to the detriment of either council, particularly in relation to the New Homes Bonus and nomination rights to affordable housing;

            (2)        That in accordance with (1) above, this Council gives a commitment:

            (a)        that it will not seek to instigate a boundary change in respect of any areas where new housing is developed close to its boundary, other than through mutual agreement with the reasons; and

            (b)        that, if a boundary change is instigated by a third party, it will work together with the other affected council to ensure that any proposed changes are not to the detriment of either council, particularly in relation to the New Homes Bonus and nomination rights to affordable housing; and

            (3)        That the Acting Chief Executive be authorised to agree the final version of the LIP, in consultation with the Leader of the Council.