Agenda item

Planning and Sustainability (C-022-2021-22) - to provide members with regular updates on the progress of Masterplans and Concept Frameworks within Epping Forest District to ensure that members are kept fully up to date.

(1)        The Cabinet noted the progress of Masterplans and Concept Frameworks, including the use of Planning Performance Agreements and the progress of other proposals at pre-application and application stage;

(2)        The Cabinet noted the positive progress being made on the Epping Forest Local Plan Submitted Version (LPSV) following the consultation of the Main Modifications;

(3)        That the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2020/2021 (Appendix F of the report) was agreed for online publication by 31 December 2021.

In the absence of the Planning and Sustainability Portfolio Holder, Councillor J Philip introduced the report.

This report was prepared by the Policy & Implementation Team to provide members with an update on the progress of Strategic Masterplans, Concept Frameworks and Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) within the District, including major projects and planning applications dealt with by the team.  Scheduled meetings and workshops continued to take place with site promoters and developers in accordance with project plans agreed within PPAs.  The majority of workshops/meetings were taking place virtually, but consideration was being given to in-person meetings, in particular for future Quality Review Panels (subject to COVID restrictions).

The District’s emerging Local Plan was progressing well and at an advanced stage.  As such, the Local Plan was being given substantial weight in the assessment of planning applications. The Main Modifications to the LPSV were published for consultation as a statutory part of the Local Plan Examination Process on the 15th July 2021 until 23rd September 2021.  Following the consideration of the representations, the Inspector will prepare a Final Report which will include the Main Modifications necessary in order to make the Local Plan ‘sound’.  Full Council will consider the Inspector’s report, its recommendations and if accepted, the Local Plan was likely to be adopted by the District Council in later 2021.

Councillor Avey asked about the South Epping Master Plan and for a bit more information on the technical evidence produced by their consultants and what was said in response to the inspector’s concerns. Mr Richardson, Director of Planning Services said that he did not have the full details with him, he noted that the inspector had agreed to reduce the allocation on the site that was put forward. So, what has now been put forward was a smaller number of residential units on a smaller site. He would come back to the Councillor with any further details.

Councillor S Kane said that in regard to the main modifications, did we have a best guess as to when we would hear back from the inspector on this so that we could schedule a council meeting. Mr Richardson replied that it would be at least a couple of weeks before we hear from the inspector.

Councillor Jon Whitehouse wanted to raise the infrastructure funding statements. When would it be spent or dispersed, and could this be included in future statements? Mr Richardson agreed that they could do this.

Councillor Wixley asked if they could have some ideas on what this money would be spent on? Mr Richardson noted that the S106 agreements specified where the money was to be spent along with the infrastructure delivery plan in future years. This money although secured through a S106 agreement, had not been triggered as yet for that money to be paid to the council.

Decision:

(1)          The Cabinet noted the progress of Masterplans and Concept Frameworks, including the use of Planning Performance Agreements and the progress of other proposals at pre-application and application stage;

(2)        The Cabinet noted the positive progress being made on the Epping Forest Local Plan Submitted Version (LPSV) following the consultation of the Main Modifications;

(3)        That the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2020/2021 (Appendix F of the report) was agreed for online publication by 31 December 2021.

Reasons for Proposed Decision

To ensure that members were kept fully up to date on the progress of Masterplans and Concept Frameworks and other major proposals being promoted within the District.

To comply with the Council’s general obligations as a local planning authority and the requirements set out in national planning guidance.

Every Local Authority was required to publish an Infrastructure Funding Statement (‘IFS’) by 31 December each year that sets out the amount of planning obligation expenditure where funds have been allocated.

Community Infrastructure Levy Guidance 2014 sets out that:

“Reporting on developer contributions helps local communities and developers see how contributions have been spent and understand what future funds will be spent on, ensuring a transparent and accountable system.”

Paragraph: 172, Reference ID: 25-172-20190901

The Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan has identified the infrastructure projects that were required to deliver development in the District to 2033.

Other Options for Action:

Not to update members on the progress on the above issues would be contrary to the commitment made by the Implementation Team as noted in the 18 October 2018 Cabinet Report.

Not to publish the Infrastructure Funding Statement within the deadline would result in a failure to comply with the Community Infrastructure Levy regulations.