Issue - meetings

To consider the West of Braintree Garden Community Plan - Issues and Options document.

The Chairman said the report had been discussed at the Planning Policy Working Group the previous evening, and a few amendments had been proposed.

Councillor Barker gave a summary of the report and detailed the proposed amendments. These were as follows:

·         Amendment 1: Page 203 (Page 11 of the Document). Paragraph 4.

The first sentence to read:

Braintree and Uttlesford District Councils, together with Essex County Council, propose the delivery of this Garden Community which will be developed alongside all necessary infrastructure.

·         Amendment 2: Page 205 (Page 13 of the Document). Paragraph 3.

The start of the first sentence to read:

Uttlesford District Council supports in principlethe proposal for a new Garden Community at West of Braintree…

·         Amendment 3: Page 216 (Page 24 of the Document). Para 3 of the Highlighted Vision.

The start of the second sentence to read:  

It will be a healthy, safe place, where walking and cycling…..

·         Amendment 4: Page 253 (Page 61 of the Document). Question 13.

Delete the fourth bullet point: There is a triangular area of land…

The Director – Public Services said the piece of land mentioned in the fourth bullet point of page 253 could potentially positively contribute to development. The consultation question on that point did not prescribe that the land would be used for development, but it was important to draw attention to it and ask a question about the inclusion of the land. However if the Cabinet agreed with the amendment suggested by the Planning Policy Working Group, it would have to be taken out.

The Chairman said he understood the point made by the Director – Public Services, but the piece of land in question had not been in the original draft 18 local plan and development there would have a great impact on the residents of Stebbing.

Members said changes could be made between regulation 18 and 19 drafts.

The Chairman said it was important to note the consultation would be a joint exercise between Uttlesford and Braintree District Councils. The Director – Public Services said the consultation would ask for responses from anyone affected by the proposals, regardless of where they lived. Councillor Barker said it was very important that both councils were in agreement on the document.

The Director – Public Services said the second bullet point on page 253 asked a similar question to the fourth bullet point, but was phrased in more general terms.

RESOLVED that

a)    Cabinet agree the appended West of Braintree Garden Community Plan Issues and Options document for public consultation, subject to incorporation of the amendments suggested by the Planning Policy Working Group on 17October 2017.

b)    The Director of Public Services be given authority to make final minor amendments to the West of Braintree Garden Community Plan Issues and Options document following consultation with the Leader.