Issue - meetings

To consider and to approve for consultation the Cheshire East Development Strategy, and the Policy Principles Document.

N.B: Appendix 2 - Development Strategy, and Appendix 3 - Emerging Policy Principles, are to be found in a supplement to this agenda.

Councillors P Findlow and B Moran had each declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item.

Consideration was given to the Cheshire East Development Strategy and to the Policy Principles Document prior to commencing a period of consultation.  The Council had undertaken a strategic Issues and Options consultation and over the last year had carried out an intensive programme of place shaping and neighbourhood planning.  The two documents now being considered pulled the various elements together and presented a jobs led strategy for growth and prosperous communities which would be consulted on before a final submission version of the Core Strategy was prepared in the summer of 2013.

The Portfolio Holder for Communities gave detailed feedback on the public speaking session and on the ensuing debate at the Strategic Planning Board on 6 December; both reports had been endorsed at that meeting the minutes of which were circulated for information.

Visiting Councillors spoke on a number of matters including the amount of housing proposed and the location of some of the proposed sites, the need and value of retaining employment only sites, concerns for wards affected by prospective road and infrastructure improvements, and changes in green and open space allocations.

RESOLVED

1.    That the recommendations of the Strategic Planning Board on 6 December 2012 be noted.

2.    That the Cheshire East Development Strategy (Appendix 2 of the report) and the Cheshire East Policy Principles (Appendix 3 of the report) be approved for consultation.

3.    That approval be given for the Cheshire East Development Strategy to be used as a material consideration for Development Management purposes with immediate effect.

4.    That approval be given for any minor typographical or other non material amendments to be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for approval prior to publication.