Issue - meetings

To consider the Call for Sites report.

The New Communities Senior Planning Officer presented the report and introduced the three options for mapping to accompany the call for sites.

Members discussed their preferences and indicated that, should content maps be chosen, officers consider including addition information on the maps, such as Metropolitan Green Belt and healthcare facilities, including those across the district border which are used by Uttlesford residents. They recognised that, in developing a new local plan, there was an opportunity for fresh thinking and that the plan needs to reflect changing needs in areas such as employment, transport, internet and climate change.

In response to further member’s questions about the Call for Sites process, officers clarified the following:

·         A Call for Site will be put out and officers will then seek to develop a strategy with options for delivering the Local Plan. By developing a strategy, submissions can then be assessed on whether they can satisfy the requirements set out.

·         The assessment criteria will also consider information not currently included on the maps, such as GP surgeries and Metropolitan Green Belt.

·         If officers do not receive submissions which satisfy their strategy’s requirements, they will then approach local site owners and ask them to consider putting their site forward.

·         The transport forecast for Stansted Airport is out of date, along with the evidence base which was used to inform the previous Local Plan. Officers are in touch with the Department for Transport and have requested guidance to support transport assessments. This, however, does not impact the Call for Sites.

·         Officers will consider a range of site for residential and commercial use. In the case of larger sites, they could also be considered for mixed usage.

Councillor Lees proposed, and Councillor Reeves seconded, a motion that the group recommend Option 3. This was agreed unanimously.

AGREED: That

1.    the Group’s preference for the mapping to accompany the call for sites is option three (usings a set of context maps)

2.    the Group endorse the proposed approach to preparing a site submission form, subject to any amendments agreed with the Portfolio Holder.