Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

To consider the latest position on key planning and transport issues affecting the District.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the report on strategic planning matters was noted.

(2)  That the correspondence and information in Appendices A to C was noted and endorsed by Cabinet.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To keep Cabinet informed of recent developments on strategic planning matters and progress on the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.

The Deputy Executive Member for Planning presented the report entitled Strategic Planning Matters and noted:

·         Welwyn Hatfield council had been told that there was no option to defer the adoption of a district local plan. The would imply that when the Inspectors report is received it will either need to be adopted, or the district would be left in limbo.

·         No comment had been received from the Inspector regarding the Local Plan and there was still no indication of when it would be received.

·         No major issues had been raised in the more than 4 years of discussion on the Local Plan.

·         Luton Borough Council had increased capacity of the airport from 18million to 19million, but a request had been made to the Secretary of State to call in this decision, which would be supported by North Herts District Council.

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg highlighted that the local MP, Bim Afolami, had written to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to request clarification on the Local Plan, but this had again been pushed back onto the Inspector.

Councillor Ian Albert noted that some colleagues had held meetings with Bim Afolami MP regarding the station access in Hitchin and how this could be developed alongside a sustainable travel town plan. He suggested that this could possibly link with the work done on the Letchworth Travel Plan to improve sustainable connectivity between the two towns.

In response, the Deputy Executive Member for Planning advised that the Sustainable Travel Plans included had not been developed by NHDC, but were the work of Royston Town Council and the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation in their respective towns. If organisations could be found in Baldock and Hitchin to conduct this work, then the Council could offer what support they could. A new Transport Officer had been hired this week.

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, as Chair, proposed and Councillor Judi Billing seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the report on strategic planning matters was noted.

(2)  That the correspondence and information in Appendices A to C was noted and endorsed by Cabinet.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To keep Cabinet informed of recent developments on strategic planning matters and progress on the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.