Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING MANAGER

This report sets out how the issues raised in debate at Full Council have been considered or will be addressed through the planning processes for this site as a whole. The report asks Cabinet to recommend the approval of the updated Strategic Masterplan Framework to Full Council.

RESOLVED:

(1)   That following the Full Council decision not to adopt the masterplan in July 2024, Council noted the additional information and clarification in the report.

(2)   That the Strategic Masterplan Framework for North Stevenage, attached at Appendix A, was approved and adopted as a material planning consideration for relevant planning decisions relating to the site.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)   To facilitate 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 2 hour 13 minutes 26 seconds

Interim Executive Member for Planning and Transport, Councillor Daniel Allen,  presented referral 8B from Cabinet and the report ‘North Stevenage Strategic Masterplan Framework’ and stated that:

·       There had been issues raised when this item was presented to Council in July 2024. The report utilised visual materials to provide an update and highlighted the changes made to the Masterplan after that meeting.

·       The access points onto the site had been clarified as well as the access from the site on to the adjoining development. Vehicles would be able to travel between the two sites.

·       The shops and school were within a 20 minute walk from all parts of the development.

·       The developer would discuss NHS participation during the formal planning stage.

·       The development aimed for Sustainability SPD gold standards in health placemaking, open space, sustainable drainage and sustainable travel.

·       The Project Board considered the updates and amendments in October 2025 and recommended it to Council for reconsideration.

·       Members attended a briefing on this matter on the 6 November 2024.

The Principal Planning and Urban Design Officer presented the report and provided a visual presentation of the site plans.

The following Members took part in debate:

·       Councillor Caroline McDonnell

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Ralph Muncer

Points raised in debate included:

·       There were improvements made to the plans which installed confidence and had addressed the previous concerns from July.

·       The Council were to adopt the local spaces, this was good news.

·       It was unfortunate that changes could not be made to the Stevenage site.

·       Perhaps future Masterplans with transcending borders could be more joined up.

·       The additional information was a good addition to the report.

·       The Council thoroughly scrutinises decisions which affect the community.

Councillor Daniel Allen proposed and Councillor Dave Winstanley seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED:

(1)   That following the Full Council decision not to adopt the masterplan in July 2024, Council noted the additional information and clarification in the report.

(2)   That the Strategic Masterplan Framework for North Stevenage, attached at Appendix A, was approved and adopted as a material planning consideration for relevant planning decisions relating to the site.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)   To facilitate the delivery of a strategic site within the Council’s adopted Local Plan.

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

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING MANAGER

This report sets out how the issues raised in debate at Full Council have been considered or will be addressed through the planning processes for this site as a whole. The report asks Cabinet to recommend the approval of the updated Strategic Masterplan Framework to Full Council.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

(1)   Following the Full Council decision not to adopt the masterplan in July 2024, the additional information and clarification in this report is noted.

(2)   The Strategic Masterplan Framework for North Stevenage, attached at Appendix B, is approved and adopted as a material planning consideration for relevant planning decisions relating to the site.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS:

(1)   To facilitate 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 – 50 minutes 21 seconds

Councillor Daniel Allen, as Interim Executive Member for Planning and Transport, presented the report entitled ‘North Stevenage Strategic Masterplan Framework’ and advised that:

·       This report was asking Cabinet to refer the masterplan back to Full Council for reconsideration.

·       The masterplan was originally considered at Council back in July 2024 but was not adopted at that time as a number of issues were raised by Members.

·       This report provides an update on the issues and clarifies several changes that have been made and more visual material has now been used.

·       This report clarifies the access arrangements into the site, detailed how cars will be able to circulate within and between the two schemes using the access points from North Road and an internal connection at the east of the site.

·       All parts of the NS1 site are within a 20-minute walk of the school and shops on site.

·       This masterplan was aiming to meet several gold targets set in the Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which supported the Local Plan.

·       If Cabinet approve to refer this masterplan back to Council, there would be a presentation of key plans to Members at the meeting on28 November.

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

In response to a question by Councillor Val Bryant, the Strategic Planning Manager advised that:

·       Hertfordshire County Council had decided that two primary schools were required.

·       The two primary school had been built in close proximity to each other as schools had to be built on the most accessible and flattest part of the site.

·       Detail of the provision of school sites would be decided in the legal agreement at the application stage.

The following Members took part in a debate:

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

·       Councillor Val Bryant

Points raised in a debate included:

·       The main concern was how to improve integration between the two sides of the sites.

·       This was an excellent masterplan with a good spread of affordable housing within the two sites.

·       The masterplan provided good phasing particularly in regard to green spaces and the allocation of 40% affordable housing at each phase. 

Councillor Dave Winstanley proposed and Councillor Val Bryant seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

(1)   Following the Full Council decision not to adopt the masterplan in July 2024, the additional information and clarification in this report is noted.

(2)   The Strategic Masterplan Framework for North Stevenage, attached at Appendix B, is approved and adopted as a material planning consideration for relevant planning decisions relating to the site.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS:

(1)   To facilitate the delivery of a strategic site within the Council’s adopted Local Plan.

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