Decision details

The Development plan Regulations provide broad scope for the nature of consultation undertaken before the final submission draft Core Strategy plan is prepared. It is proposed that the alternative sites consultation therefore takes place within the sphere permitted by Regulation 18. The Consultation is intended to be short and focussed – with the single objective of highlighting options that may subsequently fall under consideration in the preparation of the final draft.

The Council does not propose these sites at this stage – but identifies them merely as possible options for consideration. Comments on the merits of the sites are therefore invited on that basis. Should any of the sites be thought to possess potential for subsequent inclusion within the plan, then additional work would need to be carried out to further assess their suitability.

The list of proposed alternative site options is set out in the Appendices 1 and 2 of the report to the Strategic Planning Board on 1 May 2013. These do not represent all of the sites that have emerged through the consultation process, but rather those that are considered to be strategic in size, sustainability and impact. Included within the list are some sites already identified previously, but where a significantly larger area of development is now proposed. Smaller, non strategic small sites which have been brought to the attention of the Council will be considered in the more detailed stages of the Local Plan process, including the Site Allocations document.

1.    That the Portfolio Holder considered the comments of the Strategic Planning Board on the proposed list of sites and consultation methodology.

2.    That approval be given to the list of sites for Consultation as possible additional sites as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report to the Strategic Planning Board on 1 May 2013, subject to the deletion of reference to a potential gypsy and traveller site on site A; and subject to the separate consultation on employment areas A, B and C of Site I (Employment sites adjacent to Junction 16 of the M6).

3.    That approval be given for the final form and wording of the Consultation Document to be delegated to the Strategic Planning & Housing Manager, in consultation with the Chairman of Strategic Planning Board, and the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Communities.