Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

Apologies were received from Councillor J Dunn and Steven Wood.

To consider and comment on the Leeds Local Development Framework Core Strategy consultation document.

This Core Strategy Consultation Document has been circulated separately.

The Chair welcomed Members of the Forum to the meeting and thanked them for attending the Special Meeting of the Forum to consider the consultation on Leeds Local Development Framework (LDF): Core Strategy. The Forum welcomed David Feeney, Head of Planning and Economic Policy to the meeting  who was present to provide a background to the LDF Core Strategy and to answer questions.

In considering the questions contained in the consultation the Forum resolved to only answer questions which fell into the jurisdiction of the Leeds Local Access Forum as outlined in the Forum’s Terms of Reference and Guidance issued by Defra. Members of the Forum were advised that they were also able to respond to the consultation on an individual basis if they wished to.

The Forum’s response is outlined below:

1. Do you agree with the strategic Aims and Objectives?

  Yes

2. No response

3. The Core Strategy needs to ensure that new development does not further worsen flood risk. This should be undertaken by:

c) Allowing residential development in any of the zone 3 high flood risk area providing it helps fulfil regeneration objectives and measures are in place to mitigate the effects of flooding.

4. The Core Strategy needs to ensure economic growth is achieved, whilst protecting and enhancing the natural environment. This should be undertaken by the development of green infrastructure, by

a)  Increasing the quantity of greenspace, by requiring new development to provide it. Y

b)  Reviewing the quantity of greenspace, to identify where it is not needed and could be used for alternative uses (including housing), to provide funds to improve the quality of other greenspaces Y

c)  Protecting and enhancing natural habitats, and identifying and mapping opportunities for habitat creation and restoration Y

d)  Protecting areas of special landscape quality Y

Comments: (b) The LLAF considers that the Review should take into consideration both quality and quantity of greenspaces. The completion of the Definitive Map for the central area of Leeds is an important contributor to the audit of greenspace linkages

5. The Core Strategy needs to make the most of its built environment and enhance the quality of places: This should be undertaken by:

a)  Identifying, protecting, and promoting heritage and the distinctive positive character of different areas, in

ii. throughout the district

Comments: The Strategy should acknowledge that the character-elements, such as ginnels, pack horse routes, paving, bridges etc, of historic Public Rights of Way are maintained.

6. Leeds needs to minimise the amount of waste arising. This should be undertaken by:

a)  Encouraging the treatment of waste at the highest possible level of the waste hierarchy Y

b)  Encouraging the processing of waste to add value and avoid landfill Y

7. No response

8. Criteria used to identify regeneration priority areas.

Do you think there are any additional criteria which should be used to identify regeneration priority areas? N

Comments: The LLAF particularly welcomes the inclusion of bullet point 9 (Urban areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

The next meeting of the Leeds Local Access Forum will be Tuesday 5^th February 2008 at 6:00 pm.

The proposed date of the next meeting of the Forum will be the 5^th February 2008.