Issue - meetings

The Lead Call In Member provided an overview of the reasons for the call in as detailed in the agenda and on the call in form. The Member referred to the report that had been produced in 2012 following the setting up of a working group to consider asset disposal. Concerns were expressed that lessons learnt during this earlier process had not been carried forward and that the original flaws in the process had re-emerged. Concerns were also expressed regarding the production of a 5 year plan and the use of this to develop outside of the village envelope. The Member agreed that the Council did need to sell land but was concerned that there was a rush to sell sites without any clear long term view of the future.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Assets responded on behalf of the decision making body.

It was stated that the Asset Management Strategy had been agreed in 2014 and that it was the Council’s responsibility to identify land that could be put to better alternative use. Capital receipts were required by the Council and there would be of benefit to all residents in the future.

The Portfolio Holder also stated that at this stage there were no planning proposals on the table and that if planning proposals were submitted in the future then the Council’s Planning Committee would have a further opportunity to assess the suitability of the proposals.

Concerns were raised that there had been a lack of consultation prior to the sites being included in the plan and the question was raised as to whether the Asset Management Strategy was in line with the NDP scrutiny report from 2011 which the Council had voted in favour of.

In his summing up the Lead Call In Member requested that the Cabinet withdraw the sites until local need could properly be assessed and more consultation carried out with local people prior to any in principle decisions being taken.

Further information was provided by officers and it was stated that there had been a public consultation and a desktop assessment with 2 out 8 suggested sited being removed at that stage. The Council had separate responsibilities in its role as land owner and Planning Authority and that decisions relating to the suitability of the sites for planning and development were not for consideration at this time but for later debate by the Planning Committee.

Resolved:

That the decision of Cabinet made on 12th November 2014 in relation to Asset Disposals be upheld and take immediate effect.

a)    That Members approve (with the exception of the sites at Church Lane, Knutton and Gallowstree Lane, Westlands) the disposal of the tranche 2 sites, subject to having first secured an appropriate outline planning permission for each parcel of land.

b)    That Members approve the procurement of specialist consultants to prepare and submit planning applications in respect of the sites at Sandy Lane/Brampton Road, May Bank, Market Drayton Road, Loggerheads and Eccleshall Road, Loggerheads and the associated costs.

c)    That members agree to add the cost of procuring the specialist consultants referred to in recommendation (b) to the current capital programme in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations.

Cllr Jones and Cllr Tagg had submitted representations in relation to the agenda item. Cllr Jones and Cllr Tagg highlighted the main areas listed in their representations.

Cllr Jones’ highlighted the main area of concern for the public as being the effect of the disposal on the Whitfield Community Centre which had been using one of the sites listed. Cllr Jones also disputed whether the car parking space would be increased to 33 spaces as stated in the report.

Cllr Tagg highlighted the concerns listed in his representation regarding the land at Sandy Lane including the fact that the space was used by local people for recreation, that it soaked up rain water that could otherwise lead to flooding and that it was situated near a busy roundabout which would make any development difficult to access.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Assets responded to the questions and representations.

Desk top assessments (including a mining report) had been produced in respect of all sites which had brought to light any significant technical constraints (which could inhibit alternative use or development). In relation to the Wedgewood Avenue Site, The Portfolio Holder was satisfied that a robust consultation had been undertaken regarding this and all of the sites listed and urged the Cabinet to accept the recommendations.

The Portfolio Holder further highlighted that elected members and members of the public would have a further ability to become involved in the process when it reached the planning application stage.

Cllr Turner considered the options available and agreed that the recommendations were the best way forward for the council in comparison to other possibilities such as borrowing money.

Resolved:

a)            That Members approve (with the exception of the sites at Church Lane, Knutton and Gallowstree Lane, Westlands) the disposal of the tranche 2 sites, subject to having first secured an appropriate outline planning permission for each parcel of land.

(b         That Members approve the procurement of specialist consultants to prepare and submit planning applications in respect of the sites at Sandy Lane/Brampton Road, May Bank, Market Drayton Road, Loggerheads and Eccleshall Road, Loggerheads and the associated costs.

(c)        That members agree to add the cost of procuring the specialist consultants referred to in recommendation (b) to the current capital programme in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations.