Agenda and minutes

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstance shall be specified in the minutes).

  The Chair agreed to admit one late item to the agenda, minute 22 refers.  The item was considered as a matter of urgency as this was the next appropriate meeting to approve the minutes of Development Plan Panel held on 30^th September 2009

  A schedule of proposed minor amendments to the Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document (‘Policy Approach’) and a diagram of the (resource flow analysis) policy flow were circulated for Members’ information

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

  There were no declarations of interest

To receive apologies for absence (If any)

  Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Gruen and Councillor R Lewis

  RESOLVED - That the minutes of the Development Plan Panel meeting held on 30^th September be approved subject to the inclusion of Councillor Harker in the attendance list for the meeting

To receive a report of the Director of City Development outlining the scope and content of the Natural Resources & Waste DPD and to consider a “Policy Position” document (and related attachments), as a basis for a period of informal consultation in Autumn

(Report attached)

  Members considered a report of the Director of City Development which outlined the scope and content of the Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document (DPD), a ‘Policy Position’ document and associated plans, as a basis for a period of informal consultation

  The Head of Forward Planning and Implementation presented the report and informed Members that whilst specific policy wording was not contained within the document, it was nevertheless an important piece of work and set out a broad direction of travel, which following further consultation, would be worked up into specific policy details

  A summary of the main points of each section of the document was provided

  On land issues, Members were informed that the focus was on brownfield and previously developed land; how issues regarding contaminated land would be dealt with; tree planting and the wider infrastructure to support waste activities

  In respect of minerals, the focus was around existing minerals, ie sand, gravel, and safeguarding existing areas.  However future capacity was also being considered as were other minerals such as coal and brick

  Members’ attention was drawn to an amendment to this section, as set out in the tabled schedule

  The section on water resources would provide a policy approach to managing water resources and flood risk and would include:

·  references to development in flood risk areas

·  the need for sequential tests to be undertaken

·  a policy approach on zones and areas of rapid inundation

·  the need for flood risk assessments

·  improving water efficiency

·  improving water quality

Members were informed that in preparing this policy approach Officers had liaised with colleagues in other departments and the Environment Agency

On air quality issues Officers were looking to have a catch-all policy approach which would also include a policy position to encourage low emission zones

  Regarding energy, the aim was to include a suite of policy approaches regarding energy efficiency and renewable energy potential including:

·  wind energy

·  micro generation

·  combined heat and power

The importance of partnership working in this area was stated as was

the potential for further work, including the opportunity to map the city in respect of energy resources

  An amendment, increasing the wind power potential contribution from 4MW to 30MW, based on an allowance for 15 large turbines in the District was noted

  Concerning the waste policy position this focussed on the need to minimise the amount of waste produced in Leeds and to manage waste in a more sustainable way and would include safeguarding sites for waste treatment and a presumption against new landfill provision

  Several amendments relating to this section of the document were referred to, with details contained on the schedule which was circulated at the meeting

  Members discussed the following matters:

  Land issues

·  that in terms of land use, gardens should be categorised separately as on page 8 of the document, and not amongst the uses described as ‘greenspace’ on page 10 of the document

Minerals

·  that a tension existed between national guidance which sought to move  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To not that the next meeting will take place on Tuesday 10^th November 2009 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds

  10^th November 2009 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds