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 apologised to Members of the Social Care, Health and Housing OSC for curtailing the length of their meeting so that Sustainable Communities OSC could commence at 2pm.

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.

The Chairman advised the Committee that several questions had been received from a residents in relation to why Central Bedfordshire would take up the shortfall in problems with housing.  In respond the Executive Member agreed to provide a written response to some aspects of the question in writing after the meeting but in principal the Council was required to be seen to act on the duty to co-operate.  The Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) established that Luton’s need had previously been underestimated.  Central Bedfordshire Council was mindful of the shortage of school places and work was underway to determine what was needed.  Local transport concerns had been addressed and a new school was being built in Marston Park.  Several other issues would be addressed via the Allocations Plan and a letter in regard of these issues would be provided and also distributed to Members of the Committee.

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 an update on activity related to the Development Strategy since January 2013, particularly in relation to housing need and the Joint Strategic Housing Market Assessment.

The Strategic Planning and Housing Manager delivered a presentation that focused on the outcomes of the SHMA and the impact of changing housing numbers for Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) and Luton Borough Council (LBC).  The presentation also highlighted the ways in which CBC might contribute to the level of unmet need for housing in Luton; and the other changes that were proposed to be made to the Development Strategy.

In addition Cllr Young commented that he felt the Council would be in a position to finalise the numbers of homes to be included in the draft Development Strategy by 21 May 2014.  It was important that the document sat along side the Housing Allocations Policy and that it was used to update other documents to ensure that they were still fit for purpose.  The Development Strategy also enabled the Council to prevent hostile planning applications that would arise in the absence of an agreed plan.  The Council had reviewed cross-border migration, the largest amount of which took place between Central Bedfordshire and Luton (a net 1,000 person increase in Central Bedfordshire annually). There was a continued challenge with regard the removal of the greenbelt in Central Bedfordshire that would be addressed through the Development Strategy.

In light of the information provided Cllr Nicols highlighted the substantial number of homes that were planned in his ward and raised specific queries in relation to the following:-

·         Whether the Planning Inspectorate would take into consideration potential growth east of Luton, given that North Hertfordshire District Council had historically stated that they did not require growth of their area.  In response the Strategic Planning and Housing Manager commented that the SHMA area covered parts of North Hertfordshire, including the area to the East of Luton.  It was anticipated that the Inspector would take into account growth options around Luton and this could impact on the total numbers.  Whilst it was not CBC's responsibility to meet the need for Luton in its entirety as CBC’s strategy was first to reach inspection the Council would need to be able to provide a coherent statement regarding growth in the area.

·         Whether the purdah period in March 2015 would have an impact on the proposed timetable for the development of the plan.  In response the Strategic Planning and Housing Manager commented that the timeline had been drafted using advice from the Planning Inspectorate and did not think it would be impacted by the purdah period.  In addition Cllr Young commented that the period of time taken for the inspection might depend on the number of representations received during the consultation.  The Council was in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate (PINs) although once it reached enquiry the Council would try to resolve the enquiry as quickly as possible.

·         The reliability of the quantum of homes that were proposed to be included and whether there was sufficient accuracy to ensure that these numbers were now accurate.  In particular Cllr Nicols was concerned that additional homes should not be ‘glued’  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

To receive a report that sets out the scope and timetable for the production of future local plans for Central Bedfordshire, including specific reference to the Development Strategy, the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan and an Allocations Local Plan.

Cllr Young introduced a report that set out the requirement for the Council to undertake a call for sites that would identify a viable land supply for at least a period of five years.  Due to delays elsewhere CBC would need to consider sites in the south as well as the north of Central Bedfordshire.  In addition the Head of Development Planning and Housing Strategy commented that the Council was in a strong position to find the best sites as it was likely that more would be identified than was required.

In response to questions from Councillors it was confirmed that Council-owned sites could be proposed during the call for sites that would include any land that the Council’s assets team would like to put forward.  Proposals to designate an area of green space between Milton Keynes and Aspley Guise had also been proposed in the draft Development Strategy.  It was accepted that some villages might be receptive to small scale development to provide housing for local residents and this would be taken into account by the Council.  Cllr Young also clarified the periods within which developers were required to complete developments and it was confirmed that the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan was on track to be finalised for submission to the Secretary of State in June 2014.

In response to a query from Cllr Shingler it was confirmed that discussions with Town and parish Councils would continue in relation to emerging neighbourhood plans. 

In light of the interest with regards to the proposed Allocations Local Plan it was suggested that a more detailed scoping report be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.

In light of the report the Committee also discussed the need to consider the inability of existing communities to absorb additional housing over a short period of time within the criteria for the call for sites and the instances in which it would be suitable to extend housing development into greenbelt.  Whilst the Committee agreed to endorse the plan making programme it was agreed that a report should be presented in relation to the allocations plan

RECOMMENDED to Executive

1.    That the preparation of the three Local Plans (Development Strategy, Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan and Allocations Local Plan) and other associated documents be endorsed;

2.    That the programme of plan-making which sets out the formal Local Development Scheme for the whole of Central Bedfordshire be endorsed.

3.    That a detailed report on the Council’s Allocations Local Plan be presented to the Committee following its preparation.