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north of stevenage (ns1) masterplan

 

 

Meeting: 11/07/2024 - Council (Item 31)

31 LAND TO THE NORTH OF THE GRANGE (LG1) - STRATEGIC MASTERPLAN FRAMEWORK pdf icon PDF 470 KB

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

 

To approve the Strategic Masterplan Framework for land to the north of Letchworth Garden City.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:  That the Strategic Masterplan Framework for Land to the North of the Grange (LG1), attached at Appendix A, is approved and adopted as a material planning consideration for relevant planning decisions relating to the site.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: To facilitate the delivery of a strategic site within the Council’s adopted Local Plan. To accord with policy requirements of the Local Plan.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 1 hour 48 minutes 8 seconds

 

N.B Councillor Ian Mantle declared and interest due to his appointment as the Council Representative on the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation and left the Chamber and did not take place in the debate or vote.

 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Daniel Allen presented referral 8F from Cabinet and the report ‘Land to the North of the Grange (LG1) – Strategic Masterplan Framework’ and stated that:

 

·       The site was an allocated development in the adopted Local Plan, site LG1 policy SP15 for the building of 900 homes and supporting infrastructure, and this required a Masterplan to be completed.

·       The Masterplan had been produced by the applicant in collaboration with Council Officers and advisors following guidelines and procedures.

·       This was a strategic site and was positively referred from Cabinet.

 

The following Members took part in debate:

 

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

 

Points raised in debate included:

 

·       The applicant had worked in consultation with Officers, North Herts College and the Local Enterprise Partnership.

·       There were added extras in the Masterplan, including agreements regarding apprenticeships, cooperative housing and community land.

·       Work would be ongoing with Officers to integrate the development into the Grange estate.

·       This was a landscape led development that was above the expected standards and would provide 40% open space.

·       The site exceeded the required Biodiversity Net Gain requirement.

·       The development met most of the sustainability principles and work was ongoing on the remaining principles.

·       There would be 40% of affordable homes for Letchworth and the community.

·       The Heritage Foundation helped in the development of the plan.

·       There had been many events to encourage dialogue with the Grange and Norton communities and from these it was apparent that most residents were in favour of the development.

·       The Ecological and Environmental emergencies had been considered when developing this plan.

 

Councillor Daniel Allen proposed and Councillor Ruth Brown seconded and, following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the Strategic Masterplan Framework for Land to the North of the Grange (LG1), attached at Appendix A, is approved and adopted as a material planning consideration for relevant planning decisions relating to the site.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: To facilitate the delivery of a strategic site within the Council’s adopted Local Plan. To accord with policy requirements of the Local Plan.