Agenda item

1)    That the Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) which is attached at Appendix 1 of report CAB3235 be approved and it is published as part of the evidence base for the new Local Plan; and 

2)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Planning Manager, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for the Built Environment & Well Being, to make any necessary edits and minor alterations prior to the publication of the SHELAA.

Councillor Cutler left the meeting during consideration of this item and took no part in the debate or decision thereon.

Councillor Porter noted the comments made during the public participation period as summarised above and stated that she had also spoken to Bo Priestley outside of the meeting.  She was also aware of minor editing changes and corrections that were required to the SHELAA and the report’s second recommendation included provision to enable this prior to publication. 

In her introduction, Councillor Porter emphasised that the SHELAA was a factual list of land deemed to be available by developers and landowners etc and was not an allocation list.  If the SHELAA was approved, further information would be sought in respect of the sites to ascertain the actual availability and suitability for development.

At the invitation of the Leader, six councillors addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Bell

As a Hursley parish councillor and a city councillor for Badger Farm and Olivers Battery highlighted the negative impacts of any significant level of development to the south of Winchester.  Agreed that it was essential that any new development was well built with a high proportion of affordable housing but it also must be situated in a sustainable location.

Councillor Pearson

Considered that inevitably there was sometimes resistance to any development in local areas.  Highlighted that two major development areas had been located in the southern parts of the district in recent years.  It was important to maintain the gaps between villages.  Requested that meaningful consultation be undertaken with parishes.

Councillor Read

Considered there had been a lack of consultation with parish councils and highlighted that Denmead had already had substantial numbers of housing development in the area.  Queried the impact of the White Paper on the current local plan and emphasised that every community in the district should have the same opportunity for growth.

Councillor Brook

Highlighted that in previous years, the parish councils had been consulted prior to publication of the SHELAA in order to deal with any questions or concerns at an early stage.  Believed that the lack of such consultation could create a backlash for the council to deal with.

Councillor Horrill

Believed that there had been unnecessary delays in the local plan timetable which had occurred prior to the recent publication of the Government white paper.  Publishing the SHELAA without the Strategic Issues and Options report led to a lack of clarity about the council’s intentions and caused concerns for local communities. 

Councillor Evans

Highlighted that factors outside the council’s control, such as the COVID pandemic, had impacted on the local plan timetable.  Requested confirmation of the new housing numbers required if the proposals in the Government White paper were implemented.

Councillor Porter and other Cabinet members responded to comments made, including emphasising that parish councils had been kept up to date via parish local council liaison meetings, newsletters and the next parish briefing was scheduled for 21 September.  The potential significant increase of approximately 400 dwellings per annum required in the Winchester district as a result of the Government proposals was emphasised and members of the public were encouraged to respond to the Government consultation.  The Local Plan Issues and Options report had therefore been necessarily delayed to allow proposals to be taken into account.

The Strategic Planning Manager confirmed that it was a Government requirement to produce a SHELAA and it was published in the interests of transparency.  However, it was a list of sites put forward by developers and land promoters and no decisions had been taken as to the suitability of any sites.

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

RESOLVED:

1.           That the Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) which is attached at Appendix 1 be approved and it is published as part of the evidence base for the new Local Plan; and 

2.           That authority be delegated to the Strategic Planning Manager, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for the Built Environment & Well Being, to make any necessary edits and minor alterations prior to the publication of the SHELAA.