Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING MANAGER

This report asks Cabinet to recommend the approval of the Strategic Masterplan Framework for land to the north-east of Great Ashby to Full Council. This site is allocated for development in the Council’s adopted Local Plan (Site GA2, Policy SP18) as a strategic site for approximately 600 homes and supporting infrastructure.

RESOLVED: That the Strategic Masterplan Framework for the land North-East of Great Ashby (Local Plan site GA2), attached at Appendix A, was approved and adopted as a material planning consideration for relevant planning decisions relating to the site.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)   To set an agreed design framework for the delivery of a strategic site within the Council’s adopted Local Plan.

(2)   To accord with policy requirements of the Local Plan.

Audio recording 1 hour 12 minutes

N.B. Councillors Alistair Willoughby and Stewart Willoughby declared an interest regarding a family member employed by the Developer. The Monitoring Officer confirmed they had sought advice and a dispensation had been granted for the item.

Interim Executive Member for Planning and Transport, Councillor Daniel Allen,  presented referral 8B from Cabinet and the report ‘Land North-East of Great Ashby (GA2) – Strategic Masterplan Framework’ and stated that:

·       This site was allocated in the Local Plan for the development of 600 homes.

·       Due to the size of the development a Masterplan was required following a public consultation.

The Strategic Planning Manager presented the report and provided a visual presentation of the site plans.

The following Members asked points of clarification:

·       Councillor Ian Albert

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Vijaiya Poopalasingham

·       Councillor Steve Jarvis

·       Councillor Laura Williams

·       Councillor Ralph Muncer

In response to points of clarification, the Strategic Planning Manager advised:

·       There would be minor, low level work required for the emergency access point on Back Lane.

·       The landlord of the disused land had not indicated any potential forthcoming development of the land.

·       Cycle times had focused on the two development sites.

·       There would be a cycle route to the south for the secondary school and to the southwest to Stevenage Town Centre. Further routes would be reviewed at the next stage of the development.

·       Developer contributions would be negotiated at the outline planning and reserve matters stages.

In response to points of clarification, the Senior Transport Policy Officer advised:

·       An extensive upgrade would be required for general access from Back Lane, this development would not generate anywhere near enough S106 money for that.

·       It was thought that an average person would take approximately 20 minutes to cycle to Stevenage train station from the site.

·       Further bus service details would be required at the outline planning stage of the project. The ideal route would link both sites and link to the hospital. The residents of Great Ashby would also benefit from a more frequent service. 

·       There would be a physical locked restriction in place at Back Lane, Emergency services would have a key for access.

·       The most direct cycle route to Stevenage would be via a recently built underpass. A review would occur regarding St Nicholas Park and any feasibility for a cycle path upgrade.

·       Further tests regarding feasibility would occur at the outline planning stage, with the Planning Committee considering the details and reports.

·       A recent traffic survey had occurred and using that modelling the impact of 1280 new vehicles suggested that 290 traffic movements would occur out of the area in peak morning traffic with 120 movement into the area. Highways had therefore not proposed any improvements but would encourage active walking and cycling.

·       There were some improvements expected to a crossing at Mendip Way.

The following Members took part in debate:

·       Councillor Ralph Muncer

·       Councillor Steve Jarvis

Points raised in debate included:

·       There were concerns regarding the single access point.

·       It should be considered whether  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING MANAGER

This report asks Cabinet to recommend the approval of the Strategic Masterplan Framework for land to the north-east of Great Ashby to Full Council. This site is allocated for development in the Council’s adopted Local Plan (Site GA2, Policy SP18) as a strategic site for approximately 600 homes and supporting infrastructure.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:  That the Strategic Masterplan Framework for the land North-East of Great Ashby (Local Plan site GA2), attached at Appendix A, is approved and adopted as a material planning consideration for relevant planning decisions relating to the site.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION:  

(1)   To set an agreed design framework for the delivery of a strategic site within the Council’s adopted Local Plan.

(2)    To accord with policy requirements of the Local Plan.

Audio recording – 38 minutes 33 seconds

Councillor Daniel Allen, as Interim Executive Member for Planning and Transport presented the report entitled ‘Land North-East of Great Ashby (GA2) Strategic Masterplan Framework’ and advised that:

·       This report was asking Cabinet to refer this masterplan to Full Council for adoption as a material planning consideration for approximately 600 homes and supporting infrastructure.

·       Council Officers and advisers had worked with a development team to produce this masterplan which had been overseen by the Project Board.

·       The final version of the masterplan was a more visual report which delivered the key requirements of the Local Plan.

·       This masterplan had set six silver and two gold targets of achievement against the Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which supported the Local Plan.

·       If Cabinet approved the referral of this masterplan to Council, Officers would provide Members with a presentation of key plans at the meeting on 28 November.

·       Members had been invited to attend a briefing session on the masterplan on 6 November which had been well attended.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Amy Allen

·       Councillor Ian Albert

In response to questions, the Strategic Planning Manager advised that:

·       The masterplan identified two off site cycling routes, one to the southwest and the other to the south which went towards the secondary school.

·       There was currently one bridleway at the access point to the south and there was a proposal to upgrade the footpath currently on the northern boundary to also be a bridleway.

·       The masterplan included a rights of way plan which could be found in both the masterplan and the supplementary document.

·       Officers would check updated advice produced by Hertfordshire County Council to ensure that all stakeholders were working alongside each other and report back at Full Council on 28 November.

The following Members took part in a debate:

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

·       Councillor Mick Debenham

Points raised in a debate included:

·       This development would be going ahead as it was already in the Local Plan and the masterplan would ensure the best options for residents.

·       The member briefing session had made the scope and purpose of a masterplan very clear and was very useful.

·       The use of masterplans was an excellent process.

Councillor Amy Allen proposed and Councillor Mick Debenham seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:  That the Strategic Masterplan Framework for the land North-East of Great Ashby (Local Plan site GA2), attached at Appendix A, is approved and adopted as a material planning consideration for relevant planning decisions relating to the site.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION:  

(1)   To set an agreed design framework for the delivery of a strategic site within the Council’s adopted Local Plan.

(2)    To accord with policy requirements of the Local Plan.