Agenda item

To consider the above report.

Note: Steve Bratt and Andrew Needham attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this matter.

The Committee considered a report which sought approval to consult on the next stage of the Crewe Hub Area Action Plan, which was designed to guide and manage development in the environs of the new HS2 Hub Station at Crewe.

The draft Area Action Plan reflected many of the matters raised during the period of engagement during the autumn and winter 2018-2019.  Consultation was planned to take place over a six week period between 22 July and 3September 2019, following which it was proposed to move towards a publication draft plan later in 2019, subject to any additional consultation or engagement considered appropriate in light of responses received.  The Publication Plan would be the subject of formal consultation prior to submission to the Secretary of State for Examination.

Members asked a number of questions and received confirmation that:

·                the housing and jobs figures were indicative numbers that set the context of development and did not act as targets in themselves as this was the role of the Strategic Plan.  The AAP set out non-strategic policies.

·                the plan area could accommodate such levels of growth by planning for higher density development, key infrastructure and a much more urbanised form of development focused on pedestrian rather than vehicular movement.

·                many matters, including light pollution, were covered by other parts of the development plan.

·                the plan fitted in with supporting the town centre by including policies that would retain retail locations in the Local Plan Strategy and help the station to better physically connect with the town centre.

RESOLVED

(a)  That, subject to the correction of typographical errors in the document, the Planning Portfolio Holder be recommended to approve the Crewe Hub Area Action Plan Development Strategy and Further Options, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report, for consultation under Regulation 18 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

(b)  That the Planning Portfolio Holder be requested to give consideration to the following comments before the Plan is finalised:

·         Ensure that anti-terrorism measures are built into the station design, particularly at the entrances.

·         The impact on traffic flow of opening David Whitby way is not yet fully understood and may affect the need to introduce a new Southern Link Road Bridge.

·         It is very likely that more than the 2000 spaces identified will be needed for HS2 phases 2b and beyond.

·         How the proposals will be funded needs to be explained.

·         We need to understand the wider impacts of these proposals on the infrastructure within and beyond the AAP.

·         How has consultation on the bridge been carried out so far?

·         Are there any plans to upgrade Edleston Road and how will the streets outside the AAP be affected?

·         Existing bridges need upgrading to allow better pedestrian and cycling access.

·         The plan needs to emphasise what measures are being taken to provide green spaces.

·         Crewe needs redevelopment but the impacts on surrounding residents needs to be fully considered.

·         The introduction of a policy on meanwhile uses is positive to make sure the area isn’t subject to dereliction, but we have to be careful that we get the right uses.

·         The plan needs to more fully emphasise the role of heritage in new development and the Green Link.

·         The Council must continue to keep pressure on national government to deliver northern powerhouse rail and continue its support for HS2.

·         Members should help to explain that, whilst this is a positive plan, plans take a long time to deliver and that this won’t be built overnight.

·         The plan needs to clearly address the impacts and opportunities of phase 2b of HS2.

·         The surrounding road network and introducing controlled zones matter in the longer term.

·         Policy IND2 should emphasise the role that Geothermal energy can play in helping deliver more environmentally friendly development.

·         More information on where people will travel from to access the station would be helpful.