Agenda item

Appendix 1A

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Commercial Development and Economic Growth on the Draft Joint Local Plan.  The Plan was being developed as a joint Plan with Stoke on Trent City Council (SOTCC). 

A formal consultation on “Preferred Options” had been completed and the next stage was to undertake a consultation on the Draft Local Plan (Part One – Strategy and Policies) during spring. 

Jemma March, Planning Policy Manager, made a presentation on the outcomes of the consultation and updated on the next steps in the Plan process:

·         There had been 824 representations received as part of the consultation resulting in 5,494 individual points; along with 7 petitions received in relation to specific sites.  The Preferred Options Consultation and Responses Document was attached as a supporting document to the Draft Joint Local Plan;

·         The current stage focused on policies only with the next stage being site specific;

·         The six key aims for the Join Local Plan were presented: 

• UK Central Hub for Innovation and Investment

• Healthy & Active Communities

• Dynamic & Diverse Neighbourhoods

• Utilising our Natural Assets and Resources

• Strong City Centre & Market Town with a Diverse Network of Towns and Villages

• Making our Historic Past Work for the Future

·         A key driver for the Plan was to focus on the economy with any housing provision being in support of economic growth;

·         Any policy prefixed by “S” indicated a strategic policy and this would assist any areas developing a Neighbourhood Plan as it would have to be in broad conformity with those strategic policies. 

·         The presentation highlighted the key policies under each heading – Strategic; Economy; Housing; Transport; Centres; Design and Heritage; Natural and Rural Environment; Environmental Resources and Infrastructure. 

·         The consultation process was outlined and would include online; deposit copies of the Plan at various places including libraries; as well as planned consultation events.

Members raised queries as follows:

·         What was the process leading up to formal adoption of the Plan?  The PPM advised that a consultation on the policies would commence shortly; consultation on Part 2 of the Plan would be held in Autumn 2020 and would be site specific; officers would review the consultation results and once approved by both Authorities the Plan would be submitted to the Secretary of State; an Inspector would be allocated and examination in public would be held; the Inspector would report back to both Councils around winter 2021. 

·         Members noted that housing allocations over the Plan period were minimum of 14,064 dwellings to be in Newcastle-under-Lyme of which at least 8,641 would be new site allocations and a minimum of 19,296 dwellings in Stoke-on-Trent of which at least 8,129 would be new site allocations.  Members asked how it was that both Authorities had a similar requirement for new dwellings when Newcastle had an overall lower requirement for total number of dwellings?  The PPM explained that the allocations were based from 2013 when all areas of housing commitments were reviewed including any housing that had been delivered; this Borough had both fewer housing commitments and less delivery.  It was noted that the ratio was around 800:580 for SOTCC:NULBC.

·         Members asked about the link between housing and the economy in the SOTCC area.  Joanne Mayne, from SOTCC, explained that Stoke on Trent was a constrained area and it was expected that many sites would be infill.  There were a large number of sites that already had planning permission.  There would be growth at City Station for which a Masterplanning exercise was underway.  SOTCC were also preparing a bid to the Transforming Cities programme. 

·         Members noted the importance of an adopted Plan to help shape the Borough and give protection against speculative developments. 

·         Members suggested the Keele University Growth Corridor was of great potential; however, was there a risk of relying on this area for economic growth without the identification of any other areas.  The PPM explained that it was important to have up to date evidence and this was being gathered.  This would support the growth area for Keele along with any other options.

·         The potential technology through the Keele Community Smart Transport Demonstrator (CSTD) was welcomed but more clarity and detail was needed.

·         Members thanked officers for the work done to date and thanked the Portfolio Holder for the open approach to the Local Plan process.

Agreed: that

(a)  The presentation be noted;

(b)  The process whereby the Draft Joint Local Plan Part One Strategy and Policies Consultation be published for formal public consultation during Spring 2020 be supported;

(c)  The consultation be carried out in accordance with the Statement of Community Involvement; and

(d)  The results of the consultation be reported back to this Committee in Summer 2020 to inform the next stage of plan preparation (Part 2 Site Allocations) in partnership with Stoke on Trent City Council.