Agenda and minutes

Local Plan Advisory Group - Monday, 23rd November, 2020 4.00 pm

Venue: This meeting will be held virtually and a live audio stream can be listened to via www.winchester.gov.uk.

Contact: Nancy Graham, Senior Democratic Services Officer, 01962 848 235, Email: ngraham@winchester.gov.uk

Media

Items

No.

Item

Disclosure of Interests

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Minutes:

Councillor Porter declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest due to her role as a County Councillor.

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 September 2020 PDF 140 KB

Minutes:

The Group noted a correction to Minute 4 of the previous meeting to replace the word “Visual” with “Village”.

One Member questioned whether the third action point on page 4 of the minutes regarding the impact of a change to the threshold of affordable housing numbers had been provided. The Strategic Planning Manager confirmed that this information had been included in a report to Cabinet on 29 September 2020 (CAB3261 refers) and he could circulate to Group Members.

The Group noted that all of the actions listed in the minutes had been progressed.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the correction noted above, the minutes of the previous meeting held 14 September 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

Public Participation

– to receive and note questions asked and statements made from members of the public on issues relating to the responsibility of this Advisory Group.

NB members of the public are required to register with Democratic Services three clear working days before the meeting (contact democracy@winchester.gov.uk or 01962 848 264)

Minutes:

There were no questions asked or statements made.

Local Plan Action Plan - Presentation and Action Plan PDF 338 KB

Additional documents:

LP Action Paper Combined , item 4. PDF 612 KB

Minutes:

The Strategic Planning Manager gave a presentation on the Local Plan Action Plan.

The Strategic Planning Manager and Corporate Head of Regulatory responded to Members’ questions on the following:

· What additional measures would be in place to engage with the Gypsy and travelling show peoples’ communities?

· What were the implications of the proposal to designate a new green belt?

· What approach was the South Downs National Park Authority adopting?

· Further clarification regarding the content of design codes and whether these would vary for different locations, including different parts of the town centre.

· What additional engagement and assistance would be provided to areas of the district which did not currently have any existing form of design code?

· Would the government provide additional resources to compensate for the extra work required in response to the White Paper, for example to enable the mapping system for the digital engagement work?

· To reflect the Council’s climate emergency declaration, would the consultation on the Strategic Issues and Priorities offer the opportunity for responses favouring protecting green spaces and biodiversity?

· Could the Local Plan be utilised to assist with future planning for accommodation for students? Was there future possibility for additional Article 4 directions to limit the numbers of houses in multiple accommodation?

· Further clarification of the meaning of the Urban Capacity Assessment and how this would be undertaken.

· Requested an update on the ongoing discussions with the Partnership for South Hampshire and other local authorities’ views on the issue of greenbelt.

· The rationale of the Council’s proposed public consultation in February/March 2021 being undertaken at a high level, but at the same time seeking comments on the Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA), without inclusion of specific housing sites or a housing target from government.

· Requested further information on the proposed role of the Chief Officer for Design and Statement.

· Would the “call for sites” also include a call for employment land? The risk of employment land being lost to meet additional housing requirements.

· The importance of adequate infrastructure provision in planning for the future.

· The inclusion of County Council owned land in the SHELAA.

· The importance of clarity in the consultation regarding the exact status and purpose of the SHELAA.

At the invitation of the Chairperson, Councillor Bell addressed the Group as summarised briefly below:

Welcomed the confirmation that the “call for sites” would include employment land and highlighted recent examples of employment sites being converted to housing. Expressed concern about the recent publication by a private developer of proposals for a “Royal Down” development of 5,000 dwellings between Hursley and Olivers Battery. Emphasised the significant impact such a large scale development would have on a number of nearby areas. In addition, highlighted that Hursley was already at risk of ground water flooding which would be exacerbated by such a proposal. Sought confirmation that the development proposal was premature and unacceptable.

In response, Councillor Porter and the Strategic Planning Manager reiterated previous reassurances about the status of the SHELAA as a ... view the full minutes text for item 4.

Registering to speak at meetings of the council:

The information below relates to the majority of meetings of the council but please note that different rules do apply for registering to speak at meetings of Full Council, Licensing Sub Committees, Planning Committees, Open Forums, and the Standards Hearing and Human Resources Sub Committees and the Appointments Panel. Further information can be obtained using the contact details above.

Members of the public may speak at this meeting, provided they have registered to speak three working days in advance. Please contact Democratic Services via democracy@winchester.gov.uk or (01962) 848 264 to register to speak and for further details - which can also be found on the individual meeting agenda front sheets.