Skip to main content

Issue - meetings

EAST OF LUTON STRATEGIC MASTERPLAN FRAMEWORK

 

 

Meeting: 15/01/2025 - Council (Item 69)

69 EAST OF LUTON STRATEGIC MASTERPLAN FRAMEWORK pdf icon PDF 2 MB

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING MANAGER

 

This report asks Full Council to approve the Strategic Masterplan Framework for land to the east of Luton. This site is allocated for development in the Council’s adopted Local Plan (Sites EL1, 2 & 3, Policy SP19) as a strategic site for approximately 2,100 homes and supporting infrastructure.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED: That the Strategic Masterplan Framework for the land East of Luton (Local Plan sites EL1, 2 & 3), attached at Appendix A, is 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.

 

 

Minutes:

Audio recording – 1 hour 40 minutes 08 seconds

 

Councillor Daniel Allen, as Interim Executive Member for Planning and Transport, presented referral 5A from Extraordinary Cabinet and the report entitled ‘East of Luton Strategic Masterplan Framework’ and advised that:

 

·       This report sought support for the East of Luton Masterplan to be a consideration in the planning process.

·       The site was allocated for approximately 2,100 homes and infrastructure, including schools and a local centre.

·       Council Officers and consultants had worked with the developers to produce the plans, with key plans and extracts from the Masterplan included in the report and a summary provided.

·       There had been a thorough process in the preparation of this Masterplan and a number of changes had been made which were outlined in the report and summary.

·       The Masterplan outlines how the Sustainability SPD requirements would be met, with 7 out of 8 areas set to achieve the silver rating and 1 gold rating.

·       The site had primarily been identified to meet the housing needs of Luton Borough Council.

·       A Masterplan was one stage of the planning and delivery of the site. It was a high level framework against which any schemes on the site can be considered.

·       The request to approve the Masterplan sat between the adoption of the Local Plan, which had happened, and the planning applications, which were yet to happen.

·       There were no new decisions to be made on the principle of development or wider matters which may be considered in the future.

·       All Members had been invited to a briefing by Council Officers on the Masterplan.

 

The Strategic Planning Manager provided a visual presentation of site plans and advised that:

 

·       The Masterplan had been produced in collaboration with the developers who had spoken at this meeting and with support from Herts County Council Officers on highways and education.

·       The site was included in the adopted Local Plan.

·       Consideration of whether an unmet housing need existing in Luton was not for the Masterplan stage.

·       Housing provided for Luton would be included in the North Herts supply total.

·       The Masterplan would provide a framework for different applications to be brought forward by different developers at different times, whilst maintaining consistency across the site.

 

The Associate Director of Hyas Associates provided a visual presentation of site plans and advised that:

 

·       Hyas had worked with Officers for 3 years on the project and had a huge amount of knowledge and experience of supporting Councils with projects like this on a national level.

·       There were two key landowners of the site, Bloor Homes, which owned 66%, and the Crown Estate, which owned 25%. The remaining 9% was owned by ATO Holdings.

·       Previous applications which had been submitted were considered but had been revised and updated in the Masterplan process.

·       The Masterplan established an appropriate framework for the site, which pulled together landowners and allowed for a holistic approach to the wider site.

·       Over a number of years, several parties may be involved in this development and this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69