Agenda and minutes

Venue: Online via the zoom app

Contact: Wendy Harris  01395 517542; email  wharris@eastdevon.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

58.

Public speaking

Information on public speaking is available online

 

Minutes:

Mr Dan Rogers from Bell Cornwell Planning Consultants spoke on minute 64 on behalf of Cranbrook LVA, the owners of the Farlands Site which sits in the expansion area of Cranbrook.  He referred to a planning application that Cranbrook LVA had submitted that proposed 260 homes, a small neighbourhood centre and a junior sports pitch and raised concerns that the delays in the examination process of the Cranbrook Plan DPD and the delays in the proposed phasing of education (M11) could put this delivery at risk.  Mr Rogers suggested two interim solutions that could help move the new housing development forward which was to use temporary classrooms at existing schools and referred to Broadclyst Community Primary as an example or use existing capacity from other local primary schools advising this flexibility would help the council’s five year land supply to allow small development sites to be delivered without being beholden on the delivery of key infrastructure.

 

In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised Members that officers had been working closely with Devon County Council as education authority to find ways of unlocking school places to support the delivery of Cranbrook but ultimately delivery of a new school in the town was the only solution and that is what Cranbrook Plan DPD required.  If an alternative solution could be found then Planning Committee could always allow a departure from that policy but it was important to maintain a strong and robust policy position to ensure that homes are not coming forward ahead of the required school places.

 

Mr Alan Kennard spoke on minute 65 and referred to the anticipated Government’s review of the planning legislation which would determine East Devon’s housing targets and hoped the housing figure would be less than currently required to achieve. He asked Members to take into consideration the already approved outline planning applications from developers regardless of whether little or no building had commenced.  He also referred to the Triple Axe Action Plan published in April 2021 detailing the need to reduce the effluent of phosphates and other chemicals into our rivers and urged Members to include a policy that required all significant planning applications to address the consequences of run off and be subject to regular monitoring.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management acknowledged Mr Kennard’s concerns about the water courses and advised about the Axe Nutrient Management Plan which was in place for the River Axe.  He was pleased to advise that the new Ecologist had started last week who would address these issues.

 

Councillor Bruce also spoke on minute 65 and read out a statement on behalf of Gittisham Parish Council which read as follows:

 

In recent years there has been a significant westward extension of Honiton within the parish of Gittisham, of both residential and allocated commercial land.  As part of the Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment further land has been identified as being available which would encroach further towards  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

59.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 437 KB

Minutes:

Members were happy to accept the minutes of the consultative Strategic Planning Committee meeting held on 14 December 2021 subject to clarification of the following queries:

 

·         In response to a question raised about the omission of a proposal put forward for Chapter 2, it was advised that Members’ did not vote on the proposal as it was to be considered at Chapter 2.

·         Clarification sought about whether Members’ were required to vote on proposed amendments to the wording of policies.  The Chair confirmed that Members would be required to vote if it was a departure to the proposed policy.

60.

Declarations of interest

Guidance is available online to Councillors and co-opted members on making declarations of interest

Minutes:

Minute 63. Working draft of the proposed East Devon Local Plan 2020 to 2040.

Councillor Eleanor Rylance, Personal, Broadclyst Parish Councillor and a resident of Broadclyst.

 

Minute 63. Working draft of the proposed East Devon Local Plan 2020 to 2040.

Councillor Jess Bailey, Personal, Devon County Councillor.

 

Minute 63. Working draft of the proposed East Devon Local Plan 2020 to 2040.

Councillor Mike Howe, Personal, Clyst St Mary Parish Councillor and owner of a business in Clyst St Mary.

 

Minute 63. Working draft of the proposed East Devon Local Plan 2020 to 2040.

Councillor Olly Davey, Personal, Exmouth Town Councillor.

 

Minute 63. Working draft of the proposed East Devon Local Plan 2020 to 2040.

Councillor Paul Arnott, Personal, Colyton Parish Councillor.

 

Minute 63. Working draft of the proposed East Devon Local Plan 2020 to 2040.

Councillor Paul Hayward, Personal, Employed as Clerk to All Saints and Chardstock Parish Councils and locum Deputy Clerk to Axminster Town Council.

 

Minute 63. Working draft of the proposed East Devon Local Plan 2020 to 2040.

Councillor Philip Skinner, Personal, Known to FWS Carter & Sons and will refrain from speaking or voting on anything to do with them.  Also owns a piece of land that is in the HELAA process which is not detailed in any documentation being discussed.

 

Minute 63. Working draft of the proposed East Devon Local Plan 2020 to 2040.

Councillor Sarah Chamberlain, Personal, Broadclyst Parish Councillor and a resident of Broadclyst.

 

Minute 64. A clean growth vision for development in the West of the District.

Councillor Eleanor Rylance, Personal, Broadclyst Parish Councillor and a resident of Broadclyst.

 

Minute 64. A clean growth vision for development in the West of the District.

Councillor Jess Bailey, Personal, Devon County Councillor.

 

Minute 64. A clean growth vision for development in the West of the District.

Councillor Paul Hayward, Personal, Family members live in the West of the District.

 

Minute 65. Cranbrook Plan Development Plan Document.

Councillor Eleanor Rylance, Personal, Broadclyst Parish Councillor and a resident of Broadclyst.

 

Minute 65. Cranbrook Plan Development Plan Document.

Councillor Jess Bailey, Personal, Devon County Councillor.

 

Minute 65. Cranbrook Plan Development Plan Document.

Councillor Kevin Blakey, Personal, Cranbrook Town Councillor.

 

Minute 65. Cranbrook Plan Development Plan Document.

Councillor Paul Hayward, Personal, Family members live in Cranbrook.

 

Minute 65. Cranbrook Plan Development Plan Document.

Councillor Sarah Chamberlain, Personal, Broadclyst Parish Councillor and a resident of Broadclyst.  Also have a planning application currently in with East Devon District Council at Broadclyst Station which borders one of the expansion zones in the Cranbrook Plan DPD.

 

61.

Matters of urgency

Information on matters of urgency is available online

 

Minutes:

There were no matters of urgency.

62.

Confidential/exempt item(s)

To agree any items to be dealt with after the public (including the Press) have been excluded. Thereare no itemswhich officersrecommendshould be dealtwithin thisway.

 

Minutes:

There were no confidential / exempt items.

 

A motion was proposed by Councillor Jess Bailey and seconded by Councillor Phil Skinner to change the order of discussion for the working draft of the new Local Plan and start at Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 to give priority to the new town and spatial strategy.   This motion was later withdrawn.

 

Councillor Bailey referred to Section 13 of the Constitution and said it was important to start at the most key and important part. In response the Chair sought legal advice who advised it was for the Chair to decide on how each item on the agenda was discussed but Members could table motions relating to the order in which the items on their agenda were considered.

 

An amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor Mike Howe and seconded by Councillor Phil Skinner to change the running order of the agenda so that the Working draft of the Local Plan would be discussed first as this was not finished at the last meeting.  In response the Chair advised it was important to discuss the Cranbrook Plan Development Plan Document today for Members to support a public consultation before submitting it back to the Inspector

 

RESOLVED:

To change the order of business

 

63.

Working draft of the proposed East Devon Local Plan 2020 to 2040 pdf icon PDF 440 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management reminded Members about the need to continue with discussions about the detailed polices and asked Members to discuss policy 64 which was to protect key sites and routes from development.

 

Chapter 12 – Prioritising Sustainable Travel and Providing the Transport and Communications Facilities we need

 

64. Strategic Policy - Protecting transport sites and routes

·         It is important to protect our cycle networks that already exist.  An upgrade to the cycle route from Exeter to Exmouth should be given consideration;

·         Cycle routes are fragmented and need to be joined up to be effective;

·         The need to be mindful that cycle paths are often used as footpaths.  The mix of cycles and public can cause problems;

·         Concerns raised about the danger on roads for cyclists and the need for designated sections on the road;

·         A lack of a cycle route from A30 to the A3052;

·         The need to make greener connections between communities;

·         Policies in the past had always used footpaths as cycle ways.  Cyclists should be using roads;

·         Priorities need to change from using the car to cycling.  There is a need to prioritise active travel.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management reminded Members about the 20 minute neighbourhood and advised the first priority was walking and cycling in new developments and additional cycle and walking routes would be needed.

·         There is a need to consider public transport and passing loops as not everybody is able or willing to cycle all year round.  There is an opportunity for an expansion of public transport as buses occupy the same space as cars and other road users and are subject to the same congestion;

·         The Department of Transport and the Highway Code have given priority to cyclists;

·         Clarification was sought on whether the policy was only to protect existing cycle routes and whether there was an opportunity to protect potential routes as there is great potential for a cycleway from Exmouth to Woodbury Common.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised that additional routes could be considered and discussions would be needed with Devon County Council to deliver these routes;

·         When considering future cycle routes there is a need to consider that the routes go both east and west and north and south. 

·         When considering the new town cycles should be able to go from the A3052 to the A30;

·         There is a need for a policy on future transport routes to be compliant with the NPPF paragraph 106 - 109

 

An amendment to Policy 64 was proposed by Councillor Skinner and seconded by Councillor Allen to include the need for designated sections on the road for cyclists and a proposed cycle link between the A3052 to the A30.

 

The majority of Members’ were in support of the amendment

 

A further amendment was proposed by Councillor Ben Ingham to include an additional bullet point to the preferred option to read:

·         Enhance/upgrade the following routes:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

64.

A clean growth vision for development in the West of the District pdf icon PDF 300 KB

This report seeks endorsement for an ambitious vision for clean growth for the West of the District.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report presented to the Committee sought Members’ consideration of a Vision for Clean Growth for the West of the District and the endorsement of Appendix A, Appendix B and the technical report appended to the report.

 

The Service Lead – Growth, Development & Prosperity outlined that the intention of the work was to transition away from greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a net zero economy with an ambition for a clean and sustainable way of delivering inclusive economic prosperity whilst protecting the environment.

 

He referred to the West End of the District which was an existing focus for accommodating major growth, both major residential and commercial development.  A specific prompt for the work had been the combined impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the collapse of Flybe on Exeter Airport.  He advised that the Airport had played a leading role in the trial of the first hybrid-electric flight between Exeter and Newquay Airports in August.  There was the potential to develop this role further and for the Airport to act as a testbed for future use of alternative fuels and to promote sustainable aviation.  He highlighted that the work had identified four strategic opportunities:

·         Net Zero

·         Green Finance

·         Greener Buildings

·         Smart Grids

 

He highlighted to Members the planned end of sale of diesel powered HGVs in 2040 and the importance of the hydrogen economy as a potential alternative fuel..

 

The Service Lead – Growth, Development & Prosperity welcomed Members’ comments on the documents advising having an aspirational vision was more likely to catch the eye of Government and investors in helping to support these opportunities going forward.

 

Comments made by Non-Committee Members included:

·         This is a great report and a springboard for a greener district.  It is vital not to ignore future technology;

·         There is a need for green hydrogen;

·         The West End needs to be more clearly defined as well as the Green Wedges and the Clyst Valley Regional Park

 

Comments made by Committee Members included:

·         This is an excellent report and fully support the recommendations;

·         We have to aspire for better things and do our very best for our communities;

·         Reference was made to page 48 on the last two bullet points and the need for more detail on the motorway services;

·         This is an exciting document and welcome the ambition for net zero in the West End and excited by the opportunity for a skills hub which is absolutely essential to give people opportunities to train and retrain in green technologies;

 

RECOMMENDATION:

1.    The Strategic Planning Committee having considered the Vision for Clean Growth for the West of the District recommends Senior Officers endorse the documents listed at paragraph 3.2 as evidence to inform the production of the local plan.

2.    That Senior Officers recommend that the Vision for Clean Growth for the West of the District and associated documents are also considered by Cabinet.

 

RECOMMENDATION TO CABINET:

That the Vision for Clean Growth for the West of the District and associated documents be considered.

 

 

65.

Cranbrook Plan Development Plan Document pdf icon PDF 204 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management presented the report which updated Members on the main modifications to the proposed Cranbrook Plan DPD and sought Members agreement for a public consultation on those modifications.

 

The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management outlined the main modifications as listed in paragraph 5 on page 50 and highlighted it was not a comprehensive list.  He addressed the viability issues detailed in section f and advised Members that unfortunately in order to address these issues there was a need to remove and reduce some of the contributions. 

 

Finally, he drew Members’ attention to the sustainability appraisal hyperlinked in paragraph 8 and in particular highlighting that a non-technical summary had now been produced as well as an updated policy map to now include the flood zones and these would be included in the consultations materials.

 

Comments and questions raised by Committee Members included:

·         Clarification sought on the junior football pitches and how will they play several teams if the pitches have been reduced from three to one.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management confirmed the adults pitch could be used for the junior pitches;

·         Do not agree with putting schools into temporary classrooms.  Temporary classrooms at Broadclyst Primary School was not a happy experience; The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management agreed that the use of temporary classrooms was far from ideal and the current provision is for a permanent school to be provided;

·         Clarification sought on what plans are in place to reduce the speed limit on the old A30 road as it is a busy and dangerous road.  It was advised the London Road was to be reduced to 30mph;

·         Clarification sought on alternative options for people to look at the consultation materials.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised he was happy to look at alternative options and hoped its availability online would meet most people’s needs.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Strategic Planning Committee recommend that Senior Officers:

1.    Approve the undertaking of a public consultation exercise as detailed in this report and in accordance with the adopted Statement of Community Involvement of the Cranbrook Plan DPD main modifications schedule, updated policies map and associated policies map modifications schedule.

2.    Approve that a paper copy of the consultation materials be available to view at Blackdown House on an appointment based system only.

3.      Collate and summarise the consultation responses and submit them to the Inspector for her consideration.

 

DECISION:

The recommendation was approved by a Senior Officer.  The Senior Officer Decision Notice is listed above under Additional Documents.