Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Epsom Town Hall, https://www.youtube.com/@epsomandewellBC/playlists. View directions

Contact: Sandra Dessent, tel: 01372 732121  email:  sdessent@epsom-ewell.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

6.

Question Time

To take any questions from members of the the Public

 

Please note:  Members of the Public are requested to inform the Democratic Servicers Officer before the meeting begins if they wish to ask a verbal question to the Committee.

Decision:

No questions were asked or had been submitted by members of the public.

Minutes:

No questions were asked or had been submitted by members of the public.

7.

Declarations of Interest

Members are asked to declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in respect of any item of business to be considered at the meeting.

Decision:

No declarations of interest were made by Councillors regarding items on the Agenda.

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were made by Councillors regarding items on the Agenda.

8.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 95 KB

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 19 May 2016 (attached) and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.


Decision:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2016 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2016 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

9.

Epsom and Ewell Local Plan Programme 2016 pdf icon PDF 93 KB

A new Local Plan has been prepared to set out the process and timetable for a partial review of the Epsom and Ewell Core Strategy. The Committee are asked to consider the draft Local Plan Programme and subject to any amendments agree to its publication and implementation.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Committee:-

·                     Received and considered the Local Plan Programme

·                     Agreed to minor amendments and additions as detailed in the Minutes

·                     Endorsed the recommendation, namely the publication and implementation of the Local Plan Programme

Minutes:

A new Local Plan Programme (previously known as the Local Development Scheme) had been prepared to set out the process and timetable for a partial review of the Epsom and Ewell Core Strategy.  The delivery and implementation of the Local Plan contributed to all of the Council’s Key Priorities.  The partial review of the Core Strategy is a critical part of the Local Plan review process, as it sets out how sustainable growth would be delivered during the plan period. 

The Committee noted that this was an ambitious programme and adequate resources were needed to ensure that deadlines were met.  Resources were being continually monitored by Officers and the Chairman in order to quickly identify shortfalls that could affect delivery and completion of the programme, and any issues arising from lack of resources would be reported to the Committee.  However, Members were advised that it was necessary to pursue an ambitious programme because of the risk that the Council could be challenged by developers promoting housing developments on sites contrary to Local Plan policy, or risk government intervention if it did not have an updated housing target.

The Committee were informed that all local planning authorities had a duty to produce their own housing target.  The Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA), produced in conjunction with three neighbouring boroughs, namely Kingston, Mole Valley and Elmbridge, sets out an initial housing demand calculation.  This figure would be used to inform the identification of a new local plan housing target that would take account of issues such as deliverability, housing land supply and land-use and infrastructure constraints.  The importance of recognising that the initial figure identified in the SHMA would not be the final housing target figure was stressed.

When discussing risks to the proposed programme, in particular the potential for delay, the Committee noted that any changes to national planning policy made by the Government could affect the progress and delivery of the Local plan. However, as changes could not be predicted it was necessary to proceed with the review and make any adjustments as needed. 

Members considered the Local Plan document and the following changes to the document were agreed:           

·                     Section 2, The Partial Review of the Core Strategy, first bullet point, to read: ‘Revision of the Borough wide housing target to take into account an objectively assessed demand having regard to relevant constraints affecting the delivery of growth, particularly in relation to infrastructure capacity’.

·                     Section 4, Supporting Statement, 4.14 Council Procedures, first bullet point to read: ‘Licensing and Planning Policy Committee will be responsible for the preparation, production and completion of all local plan documents;…

·                     Section 4, Supporting Statement, 4.15 Risk Management, add paragraph: Changes in Government Legislation: To ensure that the Council are not at risk from challenges resulting from not having an up-to-date Local plan, it is important to push forward and prepare the plan in accordance with current national policy. However, amendments to national planning policy or revised EU directives may necessitate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.