Agenda item

Report of the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy (enclosed).

Councillor Alan Cullens, Executive Member (Partnerships and Planning) presented a report seeking approval to the documents which formed the “preferred option” stage of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Development Plan under the Local Development Framework. Once approved, these would be subject to public consultation in August and September 2011.

In addition to a report which outlined the approach to the site allocations process through the Central Lancashire Core Strategy and the development management policy formulation, the following information was provided for Members:

·         Predicted housing by core strategy hierarchy and settlement

·         Predicted employment supply by core strategy hierarchy and settlement

·         Schedule of preferred allocations for development

·         Schedule of preferred position on all other suggested sites

·         Policy schedule

·         New policies

·         Changes to national planning policy guidance since 2007

·         Maps of the areas of the borough affected

Also circulated, was supplementary information regarding an announcement on 11 July 2011 by the inspector examining the Central Lancashire Core Strategy on proposed housing policy and whether it conformed to the Regional Spatial Strategy for housing delivery.

The Executive Member wished to formally acknowledge the work undertaken by Jennifer Moore, Head of Planning and the staff of the Planning Policy team for their hard work in drawing up the documents. There had been a range of sessions provided to keep Member informed including a Member Learning Session; group meetings; ward Councillor briefings; and one to one meetings with Councillors. If approved, it was intended that following consultation, the site allocations preferred options document would be adopted in December 2012. This would help the Council prevent the loss of safeguarded land as the old Local Plan could no longer be relied upon for the protection of greenbelt land.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, on behalf of the Labour Group, submitted a written schedule of comments on the proposed site allocation and this would go forward as part of the formal consultation process. Councillor Dennis Edgerley raised some concerns regarding more efficient use of land by increasing housing densities to reduce the number of housing sites required and encourage more affordable housing. He also asked that the number of employment sites be re-examined.

Members raised concerns regarding a number of sites proposed for allocation for housing development, issues of rural housing need and housing densities.

Councillor Dennis Edgerley proposed and Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded the following amendment to the recommendation:

“The Council does not agree to the “preferred option” document for the Site Allocations and Development Management DPD being authorised for consultation. Officers are requested to review this document to reduce land allocations. The officers are asked particularly to look at using higher densities in housing allocations, where appropriate, in order to reduce the number of sites, to reduce the number of employment sites and to allocate more brownfield sites for housing. It further resolves that when the document is released for consultation there should be a second consultation after the Council has formulated its response to the first.”

The amendment was put to the vote which was recorded as follows:

FOR the amendment:

J Berry, A Bradley, T Brown, M Crow, D Edgerley, C France, A Gee, S Holgate, C Hoyle, H Khan, R Lees, J Molyneaux, S Murfitt, B Murray, M Perks, P Phipps, D Rogerson, P Walmsley, P Wilson.

AGAINST the amendment:

K Ball, E Bell, H Caunce, A Cullens, M Cullens, David Dickinson, P Goldsworthy, M Gray, A Hansford, H Heaton, K Iddon, K Joyce, P Leadbetter, G Morgan, S Moulton, M Muncaster, A Platt, D Platt, G Russell, R Russell, J Snape, R Snape, J Walker, S Walsh, P Case.

The amendment was LOST

Councillor Alan Cullens, Executive Member (Partnerships and Planning) then proposed and Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, Executive Leader seconded and it was RESOLVED

1. The Council authorises officers to prepare the final version of the “preferred option” document for the Site Allocations and Development Management DPD; in accordance with :

a. the sites recommended by officers as per Appendices 2 and 3 of the report;

b. the approach to existing policies as per Appendix 4 of the report;

c. the wording of new policies as per Appendix 5 of the report.

2. Authority be delegated to the Executive Member (Partnerships and Planning) in consultation with the Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy to approve the final content, format and presentation of the site allocations “preferred option” documentation for consultation in August/September 2011; and to make minor amendments to development management policies, and to consult political party group leaders on the final documentation prior to formal public consultation.