To receive from Members any declarations of interest and of any political whip in relation to any agenda item.

None.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman and any matters of communication.

The Chairman commented that whilst it was not an item on the agenda he would invite the Executive Member for Regeneration to provide an update regarding the Development Strategy at the appropriate item (Minute SCOSC/14/78 refers). Members were also requested to retain their agenda papers for items later on the agenda for the Executive meeting on 31 March 2015.

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To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 January 2015 and to note actions taken since that meeting.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 January 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive petitions from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

None.

To receive any questions, statements or deputations from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 1 of part A4 of the Constitution.

None.

To consider any decision of the Executive referred to this Committee for review in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.10 of Part D2.

None.

To consider any items referred to the Committee at the request of a Member under Procedure Rule 3.1 of Part D2 of the Constitution.

None.

To receive a brief verbal update from the Executive Member for Community Services and the Executive Member for Regeneration.

The Executive Member for Regeneration informed the Committee that a Planning Inspector had recently concluded that Central Bedfordshire had not co-operated sufficiently with other local authorities with regards to the Development Strategy. The Council was considering a challenge of the decision in court, if it was decided this was the prudent course of action the Executive Members would request support at the next Full Council meeting. In response to a query the Executive Member confirmed there were good grounds for a challenge to the court, which was likely to take approximately four months.

Cllr Nicols raised concerns regarding the quantum of housing that had been proposed in the Development Strategy (28,500) and commented on the significant proportion of homes that had been allocated within his ward. Cllr Nicols requested that if additional sites were to be identified for additional homes these should be identified in other areas of Central Bedfordshire.

In response to a query, the Head of Development, Planning and Housing explained that if the Council were to withdraw the Development Strategy they would be vulnerable to speculative development and may find it difficult to refuse planning permission on such applications

In light of the conversation the Committee commented that they would support a proposal from the Executive Member to Council seeking a legal challenge on the Planning Inspector’s decision.

To receive a report regarding the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and the Planning Obligations Strategy.

The Head of Development, Planning and Housing Strategy delivered a presentation regarding the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and revised S106 Planning Obligations Strategy. The report set out proposals for implementing CIL charging rates to replace tariff based planning obligations, which could no longer be used after 06 April 2015. 

In light of the presentation and report Members discussed the following issues in detail:-

·         The basis for determining the CIL rates, which officers confirmed were based on overall viability evidence and the housing price index. Affordable housing would be exempt from CIL to ensure the delivery of an appropriate percentage of affordable homes on-site which in turn encouraged mixed and diverse communities

·         The likelihood of the CIL charging rates failing to be approved by a Planning Inspector. The Head of Service commented that if the Planning Inspector concluded that based on the submitted evidence the rates needed to be revised, it was within his authority to make recommendations to vary the rates proposed. The charging schedule could then be approved subject to modifications.

·         Whether other neighbouring local authorities had adopted CIL charging rates. The Head of Service explained that each local authority could choose a CIL that met their needs and whilst other local authorities may take a different approach, this was considered to be the most appropriate option for Central Bedfordshire.

·         The collection dates for CIL, which were detailed within the body of the report for receipt of payments from commencement of a development.

·         That whilst a 30% buffer would be more robust in that it followed the recommendations set out in the consultant’s report, the Council should explore the possibility of a 20% buffer in order to achieve a higher income from CIL.

RECOMMENDED to Executive:-

1.    That the Committee support the CIL charging rates detailed in the report with a buffer of 30% on residential rates but that the Executive should review the evidence base and explore the feasibility of a 20% buffer.

2.    That the Draft Charging Schedule be approved for formal publication and submission for Examination as detailed in the report; and

3.    That the Strategy be approved for consultation alongside the publication of the Draft Charging Schedule as detailed in the report.

To receive a report regarding the Wixams Park Masterplan.

The Senior Planning Officer delivered a presentation regarding the Wixam Park Masterplan, which proposed 1,500 new homes, 5 hectares (ha) of employment land and a countryside park. The Committee also received a summary of the key findings from public consultation and the subsequent amendments to the plan.

Members raised concerns with regards to the size of the proposed primary school and whether it would be able to accommodate the recommended level of growth proposed in the Masterplan. The Local Planning and Housing Manager assured the Committee that whilst exact figures were not yet available it was felt that the proposed school would be of a sufficient size.

Members commented it was positive and encouraging to see the outcomes of the public consultation and that amendments had been made to the Masterplan as a result.

RECOMMENDED that the Masterplan be endorsed and that it be adopted by the Executive as technical guidance for Development Management purposes.

To receive a report regarding Land North of Luton and Sundon RFI Draft Framework Plan.

The Local Planning and Housing Manager delivered a presentation setting out the Draft Framework Plan for the North of Luton and Sundon Rail Freight Interchange (RFI), an overview of the key issues raised during public consultation and amendments to the Plan as a result.

In light of the presentation and reports Members discussed the following issues in detail:-

·         Whether the strategic M1-A6 Link Road would be built prior to the housing development in order to ease pressure on the transport network and confirmation of its status. The Local Planning and Housing Manager confirmed the Link Road would not be completed before the development commenced but would be delivered in a phased manner, commencing from the west. It was confirmed that the Link Road was being considered as strategic given its importance and the Executive Member for Regeneration confirmed that the Department for Transport were very supportive of the Link Road and recognised its significance to the area.

·         Concerns regarding the statement there would be at least 13ha of employment land and that numerous developments could start prior to the road being built. In response the Local Planning and Housing Manager confirmed that there would not be significantly more than 13ha of employment land on the North of Luton site. It was also explained that in light of comments made through the consultation the Concept Plan had been changed to show the land to the west of the North of Luton site as employment, rather than mixed use. The phasing of the development was yet to be clarified due to the nature of plan being at high level “framework” stage and any development in advance of the Link Road being built would need to demonstrate that it wouldn’t have an unacceptable impact on Luton and the surrounding area.

·         The potential pressure on other existing schools within the area as a result of developing additional homes. The Local Planning and Housing Manager confirmed that the development would provide three primary schools and a secondary school with sixth form provision to cater for the development. The Executive Member agreed to discuss this further with the Head of School Organisation and Capital Planning. The Committee also discussed the proposed location of the new secondary school as two options were presented on the Concept Plan. The central location was preferred by the Committee due to its integration into the heart of the development and ease of access by walking, cycling and public transport and it was recognised that further technical evidence was required to determine the final location.

·         Whether any S106 obligations had been confirmed on the sites and would CIL be applicable. The Local Planning and Housing Manager confirmed that planning obligations would be sought through S106 and that as the Framework Plan was drafted before the approach to CIL had been determined, paragraph 6.3.2 of the Plan would be amended to reflect the approach to planning obligations for the developments.

·         Concerns regarding the existing levels of lorry and HGV traffic on the nearby  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

The report provides Members with details of the currently drafted Committee Work Programme and the latest Executive Forward Plan.

The Committee considered its current Work Programme and the latest Executive Forward Plan.

RECOMMENDED that the Sustainable Communities OSC Work Programme be agreed.