Agenda item

NB Due to the document size, Appendix 2 to CAB3357 (the Integrated Impact Assessment, IIA) is published separately under a supplementary agenda.

1.     That the draft Regulation 18 Local Plan consultation document be approved as attached to report CAB3357 at Appendix 1 (subject to any changes required and authorised under recommendation 3), its publication and a 6-week public consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 for a period of 6 weeks commencing on 2^nd November until 14^th December 2022.  

2.     That the Integrated Impact Assessment at Appendix 2 of the report be approved for publication and consultation for the same period.

3.     That authority be delegatedto theStrategicPlanning Manager, inconsultation withthe Cabinet Member for Place and the Local Plan,to undertake any updating, drafting of amendments and the graphic design of the draft Regulation 18 Local Plan priorto publication and consultation on the document.

Councillor Porter introduced the report and highlighted the extensive and constructive discussion that had taken place at the joint meeting of The Scrutiny Committee and Local Plan Advisory Committee held on 29 September 2022 (recommendations and resulting changes included at Appendix 3 of the report).  She thanked the chair of Scrutiny Committee together with the Strategic Planning Manager and team for all their work to date.

Three people spoke during public participation as summarised briefly below.

June Perrins (South Wonston Parish Council)

Spoke in opposition to the inclusion of the West Hill Road site, South Wonston as it was a greenfield site, in a sensitive landscape away from the centre of the village.  She disputed the conclusions of the settlement hierarchy and in support, set out a comparison between South Wonston and Denmead in terms of bus service and retail provision.  In addition, she also disputed the statement regarding main access to the site as she believed a high percentage of vehicles would use Drove Road.

Mark Smith (Otterbourne Parish Council)

In general, the parish council accepted the requirement for additional housing in the village as long as it was sustainable, of a sympathetic design and comprised 2 and 3 bedroom houses.  With regard to Site OT03, he emphasised that the support from the parish council was only for development of part of the site and there was a well-used diagonal path dissecting the land which must be retained.  He queried why site OT03 had been selected over other sites in the village (such as OT04 and OT08) and whether these might come forward if OT03 was deemed unacceptable.

Patrick Davies

Queried the necessity for the Integrated Impact Assessment, emphasising the difficulties of consulting on such a lengthy and detailed document.  He welcomed the aim to achieve carbon neutrality but queried if this could be subject to challenge.  Asked how the council would respond to the ongoing uncertainties regarding the government’s proposals for future planning policies.  Emphasised the importance that the consultation through the online Citizen Space be clearly signposted and easy to complete.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Cook and Horrill addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Cook

Welcomed the helpful information and response to queries provided by the Cabinet Member and Strategic Planning team.  Highlighted the points raised by the joint meeting on 29 September which had been mostly addressed in Appendix 3 to the report.  She still had some concerns relating to the settlement hierarchy and considered that the wording used in the policies should be strengthened.   She urged everyone to respond to the consultation which should be as wide and far reaching as possible.

Councillor Horrill

Thanked the officer team for their work.  However, expressed disappointment that despite repeated requests from her political group, opportunities for specific briefings with town and parish councils had not been held.  Specifically mentioned the concerns held by South Wonston Parish Council (as raised during public participation above) in addition to Littleton Parish Council relating to the proposals for St John Moore Barracks.  Believed that the council’s discussions with the Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) lacked transparency as they were held in private.

The Leader thanked all those contributing for their comments.  The Cabinet Member and Strategic Planning Manager provided responses to the points raised.  The Strategic Planning Manager emphasised the amount of work that he and his team had undertaken to engage with parish councils and had offered further explanation and guidance where required.  The Chief Executive also confirmed that the formal meetings of PfSH joint committee were held in public and a matter of public record.

During discussion the proposals for the consultation were outlined in more detail.  In addition, it was emphasised that if those contributing did not agree with a specific proposal, they were encouraged to offer suggestions for improvements.  Dialogue with parish councils had been ongoing regarding the scoring used in the settlement hierarchy and this would continue.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the report.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the draft Regulation 18 Local Plan consultation document be approved as attached to report CAB3357 at Appendix 1 (subject to any changes required and authorised under recommendation 3) and be published for a 6-week public consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 for a period of 6 weeks commencing on 2 November until 14 December 2022.  

2.            That the Integrated Impact Assessment at Appendix 2 of the report be approved for publication and consultation for the same period.

3.            That authority be delegatedto theStrategicPlanning Manager, inconsultation withthe Cabinet Member for Place and the Local Plan,to undertake any updating, drafting of amendments and the graphic design of the draft Regulation 18 Local Plan priorto publication and consultation on the document.

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