Agenda item

(Place – Cllr N Bedford) To agree to formally endorse the North Weald Bassett Strategic Masterplan Framework (C-051-2023/24). Please note: Appendices attached include – B (Consultation Report) and D (Quality Review Panel Report).

For information: Appendices published separately include – A (Final Draft Strategic Masterplan Framework, parts 1 - 6) and C (Statutory and Other Written Consultee Responses).

(1)           That the Cabinet noted the process undertaken and the outputs from the public consultation on the Draft North Weald Bassett Strategic Masterplan Framework undertaken between November 2023 and January 2024.

(2)           That the Cabinet formally endorsed the North Weald Bassett Strategic Masterplan Framework in order for it to be taken into account as an important material consideration in the determination of future planning applications, and to inform pre-application advice, assessing planning and any other development management and implementation related purposes relating to the site.

(3)           That the Cabinet agreed the Planning Services Director, in consultation with the Place Portfolio Holder, be authorised to make minor amendments to the North Weald Bassett Strategic Masterplan Framework, including any document accessibility requirements, prior to publication.

The Place Portfolio Holder reported that the development of the Strategic Masterplan Framework (SMF) responded to the adopted Local Plan allocation policy P6 (North Weald Bassett). As one of the allocated strategic masterplan sites, the need for a SMF had been identified. The North Weald Bassett masterplan site was allocated for a minimum of 1,050 homes, a local centre including retail, community and sporting facilities, the appropriate provision of health facilities, education provision (early years and primary school places), as well as above requirement levels of public open space including a SANG. Developed collaboratively, the SMF had been reviewed by the Local Planning Authority and Essex officers as part of the Planning Performance Agreement process. Also, the Quality Review Panel had reviewed it three times. Extensive informal public consultation had been undertaken between 2018 to the summer of 2023 culminating in a formal consultation between November 2023 and January 2024 with the public and statutory consultees, which had resulted in the SMF being updated to reflect these comments as appropriate.

The Leader remarked that the Council had been very open with the consultation process. By endorsing the SMF, it would become enshrined within the masterplan site as an important material consideration in the determination of future planning applications, pre-application advice and other development management purposes relating to the site. The Leader emphasised the airfield was only a small part of it and that aviation operations would continue.

Councillor J Philip stated that the development of the North Weald Airfield was designed so it could continue as this was critical to the whole district. He was impressed with the amount of consultation and the significant number of benefits to be provided on the masterplan site. The protection of the listed assets, SANG and enhancements to public rights of way were clear examples of improvements to North Weald Bassett and the district.

Councillor N Bedford commented on the circular bus routes that had been designed as well as the bus routes that joined up North Weald with the airfield. He commended the officers for their work on these detailed reports.

Councillor R Brookes asked why the primary school had been opposed to the idea. Councillor N Bedford replied he thought it was because the school was in an isolated position, but the masterplan specified how the school would be encouraged to develop further and that there must be an additional facility for educational needs.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendation and the decision.

Decision:

(1)           That the Cabinet noted the process undertaken and the outputs from the public consultation on the Draft North Weald Bassett Strategic Masterplan Framework undertaken between November 2023 and January 2024.

(2)           That the Cabinet formally endorsed the North Weald Bassett Strategic Masterplan Framework in order for it to be taken into account as an important material consideration in the determination of future planning applications, and to inform pre-application advice, assessing planning and any other development management and implementation related purposes relating to the site.

(3)           That the Cabinet agreed the Planning Services Director, in consultation with the Place Portfolio Holder, be authorised to make minor amendments to the North Weald Bassett Strategic Masterplan Framework, including any document accessibility requirements, prior to publication.