Agenda item

To note the Settlement Hierarchy Paper.

The Local Plan and New Communities Manager presented the report.  He said the paper looked to identify the function of settlements within Uttlesford District Council in terms of their size, form, economic and retail roles as well as the services and facilities available in the settlement.  He said that the report was a snapshot in time.

The purpose of identifying a settlement hierarchy was to inform the spatial

strategy for the Local Plan, and ensure it focuses housing and economic growth in the most sustainable areas.

The key difference in the hierarchy from the withdrawn Local Plan to this

emerging Local Plan was Stansted Mountfitchet’s proposed classification in the

top tier of the hierarchy.

The Local Plan and New Communities Manager agreed to look at and amend if necessary the following: -

·         Page 13 1.7 – Harlow would be added as a nearby town.

·         Page 17, 1.31 – rephrased to clarify the terms local rural centres and rural centres.

·         Page 20 – The hotel in Great Chesterford was counted as a bar in the number of pubs within that area, however this bar was for guests only.

·         Page 12, 1.1 would be looked at again and the paragraph expanded to explain the purpose and usage of the settlement hierarchy.

·         Appendix 1, Hatfield Heath has 1 allotment not 2.  The Post Office was closed but a van came for an hour a week.  There was only 1 hourly bus route.

·         Stebbing did not have an hourly bus service.

The following was also noted: -

The statement on page 13, 1.8 and ‘the particular importance of London Stansted Airport and its role within the South Cambridgeshire research and bio-technology cluster’.  There was no specific evidence provided for who was using the airport, however a Business Survey had been carried out by the consultants working on the employment detail.

There was discussion about weighting as a way to determine where developments would occur on page 16, 1.24.  The Local Plan and New Communities Manager said that this would not be based on a formulaic approach but would be looked at in a holistic way, considering all factors. 

The Chair said that the decisions made could not be constrained by weighting, but all the evidence and advice would be need to be considered and Members would make a judgement and a final decision. 

The Local Plan and New Communities Manager said that part of the purpose of the report was to help Members understand the professional planning officers expertise and knowledge.  He said the judgements were then open for discussion and questioning.  The purpose of the Leadership Group was to take the lead on the Local Plan and inform its development.

The Local Plan and New Communities Manager said that the report was a snapshot in time but significant changes to the data which were likely to result in a change to the hierarchy would be updated.

The Local Plan and New Communities Manager said he would make the changes and circulate an updated version.