Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Day declared a non-pecuniary personal interest as his wife was the Treasurer for Stop Easton Park.

Councillor Dean declared a non-pecuniary personal interest as his wife was a trustee of the Gardens of Easton Lodge.

Councillor Evans declared a non-pecuniary personal interest as the Chair of Stebbing Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting on 19 March 2019 were approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

To consider the report on Cambridge South East Transport.

The Planning Policy Team Leader gave a summary of the report. A preliminary response to the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s public consultation on transport proposals for the south-east of Cambridge had been submitted, though the response could be updated following consideration by the Planning Policy Working Group.

Members said it would be good to incorporate plans for the North Uttlesford Garden Community into plans for Cambridge South East transport. Cross-boundary transport was important, and it was sensible to plan ahead.

In response to a Member comment, officers said a comment would be added suggesting a direct route between employment centres as opposed to the interchange that was being proposed.

The Planning Policy Team Leader said officers would circulate the link to the East Herts Mass Rapid Transit report.

The Chair agreed to a Member request that there be a standing item for transport issues on the agenda for future meetings.

To consider the draft response to the Greater Cambridge Local Plan consultation.

The Planning Policy Team Leader gave a summary of the report, which lookedat the consultation document for the joint Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire Local Plan and provided a draft response from Uttlesford District Council.

In response to Member comments, the Planning Policy Team Leader said the response to Question 10: ‘Are there any other things we should be doing to adapt to climate change?’ could include prepare for frequent incidents caused by climate change and design buildings to prepare for such issues. Mention could also be made in the answer to Question 24: ‘How important do you think continuing economic growth is, as a priority for the next Local Plan?’ of the importance of qualifying the answer in relation to protection of the environment.

In response to a Member question, the Planning Policy Team Leader said officers could include comments on the need to plan for the impact on water supplies.

Members commented that it was important to say that the Council agreed it was important to plan for the appropriate number of homes, but that it was also necessary to plan for the infrastructure required to support new residents, such as the M11 / Liverpool Street Line transport corridor.

To consider the publication of the MHCLG Design Guide.

The Planning Policy Team Leader said a new National Design Guide had been published by the government. The guide was included in the agenda pack, and the report noted implications for the Council’s future work programme and for determining planning applications.

Members suggested that a joint workshop with the Planning Committee be scheduled to work through the new guidance.

In response to a Member question, the Assistant Director – Planning said the Development Management Team did not have an Urban Design Officer, but that an Urban Design Officer would be joining the Garden Communities Team.

Members discussed the options open to the Council to consider how to develop its own design codes or guides for elsewhere in the district.

To consider the Sports Facilities and Recreation Strategy Assessment.

The Planning Policy Team Leader gave a summary of the report, which recommended that Cabinet endorse the Playing Pitch Strategy and Action Plan, the Indoor and Built Facilities Strategy and the Open Space Standards as material considerations for development planning applications.

In response to a Member question, the Planning Policy Team Leader said it should be possible to secure funding from development for new sports pitches and improvements to existing sports pitches.

Members discussed whether to look at adopting the national standards as the standard for play space and allotment space. Officers agreed to look into this further.

In response to a Member question, the Assistant Director – Planning said officers could look into securing funding from developments of under 10 units.

To consider the report on the Community Infrastructure Levy.

The Planning Policy Team Leader gave a summary of the report, which provided a short introduction to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and gave an update on proceedings to appoint consultants to prepare a CIL.

In response to a Member question, the Chair said the Council was committed to investing in CIL. He said CIL also contributed to its own administration. Councillor Hargreaves noted that CIL was already accounted for in the draft budget for the upcoming year.

In response to a Member question, the Planning Policy Team Leader said the Council would submit a corporate response, in consultation with the Planning Policy Working Group, to Essex County Council’s consultation on a Developers’ Guide to Infrastructure Contributions.

The meeting ended at 6.00pm.