Agenda item

This report explains how settlement hierarchy is a key element of the strategy for distributing development.

The report presented by the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management updated Members’ on how the settlement hierarchy was a key element of the strategy for distributing development. 

The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management outlined the responses received from the Local Plan Issues and Options consultations which were finely balanced between either retaining the current settlement hierarchy or having fewer villages within the hierarchy and 83 respondents proposing an alternative approach.  He referred Members’ to the role and function of Settlements draft report appended to this report which looked at relevant issues to defining a settlement hierarchy.  Members’ noted that settlements with a higher population, a greater range of jobs for the community and transport facilities would sit at the top of the hierarchy.  Small settlements with a lower population, fewer jobs and a smaller range of facilities would sit lower.  Members’ also noted that while some settlements may have a wider range of services and facilities within the parish it was also factored in as to whether those facilities are within easy walking distance of the settlement.

The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management highlighted a minor error in the report as the work had not factored in an additional bus service in Exton and the table on page 35 should include ‘yes’ under ‘less than hourly bus service’.

Non-Committee Members comments included:

·         It was an excellent report and was welcomed.

·         It was suggested that playing pitches was added to the criteria in the table on page 69 of the agenda to see which settlements had playing pitches.

·         It was suggested that additional wording be added to the recommendation to read ‘ that Strategic Planning Committee consider the finding of ‘The Role and Function of Settlements – Draft’ and endorse its use as evidence to inform production of the emerging Local Plan.  In addition, to it being informed by other work on factors such as housing, housing employment need, land availability and environmental constraints’.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised that constraints was a separate issue and would be looked at later in the preparation of the Local Plan.

·         It was also suggested to include transport constraints.  It is vital that terrible transport links in East Devon is taken into consideration.

·         It was noted that Exmouth would be a tier one settlement.

·         Concerns raised about overdevelopment in tier one and tier two.

The Chair invited Committee Members to comment.

Councillor Ingham proposed the motion as written which was seconded by Councillor Blakey.

During a debate on the motion Committee Members comments included:

·         Clarification sought on how certain places had ended up in certain tiers and referred to Budleigh Salterton and Broadclyst being in the same tier when they were not comparable in the services they offered.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management referred Members’ to the comparative table on page 33 appended to the report which detailed the services and facilities in each place and therefore the reasons for the tiers.

·         Support for West Clyst being its own village even though it is part of Broadclyst.

·         Members were encouraged to contact the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management with any additions.

·         Cannot agree with the proposal as it stands and referred to paragraph 3.7.  It was highlighted that anything below tier 4 would be cast out in the open and that time after time this council keeps saying no because of current policies when villages want to build a few more houses.  It was suggested that the tiers should be increased to tier 7 to allow more villages to have a bit of growth.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management urged caution in the distinction between additional tiers and their criteria and to understand how the additional tiers should be defined and distinct from the tiers already in place.

The following amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor Mike Howe and seconded by Councillor Philip Skinner read:

‘To extend the tier system by three more tiers each having one less facility or service.’

Further debate from Committee Members included:

·         Several Members support the need for playing pitches to be included in the hierarchy.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management confirmed he was happy to look into this as it was an important facility.

·         The Council should not lose sight of the sustainability objectives. 

·         The objectives of the Local Plan is to achieve sustainable development and referred to economic objectives, social objectives and environmental objectives.

·         As an Exmouth Councillor I appreciate having Exmouth in the top tier but urged caution against thinking all development can be located there and highlighted that some people living in Exmouth are further away from facilities than many houses in the countryside are from their nearest village.

·         The need to consider how to locate development to consider the future of the possibility of home working and how to redefine sustainability.

·         It was felt that the fourth tier was contentious and would split decision and opinion.

·         The need to look at the flows of employment and referred to page 61 that showed the clear nodes of employment and the flow diagram that showed the commuting routes.

The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management welcomed Members’ comments and feedback which would be taken on board and acknowledged Members’ concerns about settlement thresholds and advised a report would be brought back to Committee at the meeting in October to allow Members’ time to comment.

Councillor Ingham proposed an amendment to his motion to read: 

1.    That Strategic Planning Committee consider the findings of ‘The Role and Function of Settlements as a draft document and endorse its use as evidence to inform production of the emerging Local Plan.

2.    All Members of the Council should send to the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management all comments and amendments that they wish to be taken into account.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management to then report back to the Committee at a meeting after the September meeting.

Councillor Bailey advised that she was not prepared to accept the amendment and withdrew as seconder.

In response Councillor Howe withdrew his motion and seconded Councillor Ingham’s amendment to the motion.  He outlined the need for leeway with the smallest rural villages to allow development of just a trickle of houses to keep them ticking over.

The Chair requested that a vote take place on Councillor Ingham’s amended motion which was carried with 10 votes in support.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the findings of ‘The Role and Function of Settlements as a draft document be considered and its use as evidence to inform production of the emerging Local Plan be endorsed.

2.    All Members of the Council should send to the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management all comment and amendments that they wish to be taken into account.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management to then report back to the Committee at a meeting after the September meeting.