Issue - meetings

To consider the Local Plan Strategic Objectives report.

RESOLVED to approve the draft vision and objectives for the new Local Plan as recommended by the LPLG.

Councillor Evans, as Portfolio Holder for Planning and the Local Plan, outlined the report and the Supplementary Paper. He commended Stephen Miles (Local Plans and New Communities Manager) for the quick turnaround of his reports and thanked other officers for their contributions. He referred to the draft vision and objectives within the documents and said that this product had been the result of harmonious working within LPLG and that best practice had been followed.

He said that the language of the plan needed to be clear and he encouraged everyone to review the information outlined in the Supplementary Paper. He said that LPLG would come back to Cabinet in July with further ideas, particularly in respect of potential development locations.

Councillor Reeve said that he supported the content and the vision and recognised that the process would evolve.

Councillor Lees said that Members would have the opportunity to refine wording over time.

Councillor Caton referred to Paragraph 1.2.5 of the Supplementary Paper which included reference to “the local benefits of Stansted Airport”; he asked whether the Administration had any plans as to how to respond in light of the recent Planning Appeal decision.

The Leader said that it was far too early to look at next steps and that he was disappointed that no advance notification of the decision had been given to the Council. He said next steps were under consideration.

Councillor Evans proposed and Councillor Armstrong seconded the recommendation in the report.

RESOLVED to approve the draft vision and objectives for the new Local Plan as recommended by the LPLG.

The meeting ended at 7.40pm.

COMMITTEES OF CABINET

JOINT COMMITTEES

NORTH ESSEX PARKING PARTNERSHIP:

Cllr R Freeman

Substitute Member: Cllr A Armstrong

WEST ESSEX WELLBEING JOINT COMMITTEE:

Cllrs P Lees and M Tayler

WORKING GROUPS OF THE CABINET

To consider the draft vision and objectives for the new Local Plan.

The Local Plans and New Communities Manager presented a report on the draft vision and strategic objectives for the new Local Plan. They confirmed that the document was draft, and additional changes could be added up until early 2022.

Members gave their feedback on the document, and the following points were noted:

• The introduction needed to be reviewed to include a clear and concise vision for the Local Plan.
• A clearer statement was required on the improved links to Cambridge, such as including the creation innovation hubs.
• The Strategic Objectives of the Local Plan would seek for villages to meet some of the needs of day-to-day living which could be done through appropriately worded policies to protect assets, such as shops. Whilst members suggested not to encourage volunteer shops as this would not create additional employment opportunities, it was noted that the Local Plan could not influence premises usage.
• Further clarity was needed for how the Local Plan would change how people get around the district.
• There was a need for an additional heading to address water resistance and the impact of over extraction and wildlife.
• There should not be too much emphasis on the Cambridge-facing part of the district, as it does not solely represent the district of Uttlesford.
• There was a need to include further details about sustainability as communities can only be sustainable with the appropriate transport links and infrastructure in place.
• Whilst the Local Plan cannot advise farmers on how to farm, it can support and encourage the diversification of farming practices.
• The 2016 review of the Green Belt and CPZ will be considered for the evidence base of the Local Plan.

Members discussed the prominence of Stansted Airport within the document and considered whether a vision should be added, which included the “best use of” the land for the district.

Many members felt reluctant include it, given the uncertainty of the ongoing Planning appeal, the future of the aviation industry after the Covid-19 pandemic, that the airport was not a big employer of Uttlesford residents and that the last Local Plan relied too heavily of what the airport would offer. It was agreed that the Group would reconsider this at a later date.

Local Plans and New Communities Manager agreed to update the draft vision and objectives document and circulate to members for their review before it is forwarded to Cabinet for their consideration.

AGREED to recommend that Cabinet approve the draft vision and objectives for the new Local Plan