The report considers this draft Development Plan Document (DPD) and recommends that it is subject to public consultation and submission to the Secretary of State.

(Attached pages 15 to 26 –Please note that Appendix 2 the Draft Site Allocations Development Plan Document to this item has been circulated separately to the agenda)

The Council received a report on the draft Local Development Framework (LDF) (North): Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD).   Further correspondence had been circulated to Members relating to sites in Ampthill (Swaffield Close) and Langford (Station Road).  A letter from Potton Town Council about the proposals for development in Potton, which was not in keeping with the Potton Town Plan, was tabled at the meeting.

In accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in paragraph 2 of Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution, the Chairman then invited those members of the public who had registered to speak on this item to address the Council.  Each speaker was permitted a maximum of three minutes.  Statements were received from seven speakers on the following areas:-

• land at Swaffield Close, Ampthill - a request was made that this site be included for residential development in the DPD;

• land in Wrestlingworth (H090) – to seek confirmation that the site would not be included as an allocation;

• land in Shillington (H006) and the parish plan – a request was made that this site be removed from the DPD and that consideration should be given to the Parish Plan;

• land at Station Road, Langford – a request was made that this site be included in the DPD; and

• land at High Street, Clophill (H042) – to support the inclusion of this site in the DPD.

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development thanked the speakers for their comments and responded to their questions.  He commented on the extensive review carried out by the Development Strategy Task Force.   They had taken all comments on board before recommending the document through to the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Executive.  He explained that if the Site Allocation DPD was agreed then a period of public consultation would be carried out.  Following the consultation the DPD would be submitted to the Secretary of State, together with any proposed changes.  There would then be an Independent Examination by the Planning Inspectorate to consider the “soundness” of the plan and the objections received during the consultation period.

The Leader of the Council made reference to the letter from Potton Town Council and their comments about the parish and town plans.  The Council recognised the value of the local detail contained within the Plans as it represented the local communities views. 

Members also commented on the land in Shillington (H006), Stondon (H079), Potton Road, Biggleswade (HA1) and land at Swaffield Close, Ampthill.  There was a request that part of the land at Roecroft Lower School remain as a playing field for the school. 

The Chairman of the Development Management Task Force gave an explanation as to how these proposals for these sites had come about.  In particular, reference was made to land in Cranfield (Site Reference H322) where a new lower school was proposed as part of the development.  There was some concern that if the new lower school was not developed on this land then it would be used for residential housing.  The Chairman of the Development Management Task Force assured the meeting that 160 residential properties would be a maximum for Cranfield.  The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development confirmed that the land at H322 would not provide an opportunity for additional residential development in the village.  The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development advised that any further comments could be passed to him for consideration.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Site Allocations Development Plan Document be approved for public consultation and submission to the Secretary of State for examination

2.      that delegated authority be given to the Director of Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development, to make minor amendments to the Site Allocations Development Plan Document prior to submission to the Secretary of State, and during examination.