To consider and receive the report of the Director (Commercial Services).

1.    Officers are requested to revisit the options at Cowling to determine if the costs of delivery can be further reduced, whilst still meeting the standards required to obtain planning consent.

2.    Officers are requested to review other sites (presently not allocated for a G&T site) and bring forward additional costed options to meet the G&T current requirement of 5 pitches. These sites may include sites previously considered during the allocation process but discounted due to the size.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member (Resources), presented the report of the Director (Commercial Services) which provides an update on the position as regards the delivery of the mixed-use Cowling Farm site to include specific reference to the delivery of the Gypsy and Traveller (G & T) site.

Members noted the estimated costs for each option detailed in the report, which were higher than originally thought. Members were not satisfied that all possibilities have been looked into and, as such, requested officers to revisit the options available.

Decision:

1.    Officers are requested to revisit the options at Cowling to determine if the costs of delivery can be further reduced, whilst still meeting the standards required to obtain planning consent.

2.    Officers are requested to review other sites (presently not allocated for a G&T site) and bring forward additional costed options to meet the G&T current requirement of 5 pitches. These sites may include sites previously considered during the allocation process but discounted due to the size.

Reasons for Recommendation(s):

To allow the progress of the delivery of the G & T allocation in line with the requirements of the 2012 – 2026 Local Plan.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Delay the delivery of the gypsy and traveller site to co-inside with the delivery of the remainder of the CBC and HE land. This was rejected due to the prolonged and uncertain timetable for the delivery of the wider site.