Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development reviewing progress in relation to the preparation of the “Core Strategy” and the policy issues the “Preferred Options” will need to address.

Members considered a report by the Director of City Development which provided an update on the current position regarding the Core Strategy and informing of policy issues the “Preferred Options” will need to address.

Officers presented the report to the Panel. The presentations included the following information:

The Core Strategy will set out the Council’s vision for the future development of Leeds over the next 20 years. It is the principal document in the Local Development Framework (LDF) which will replace the Leeds Unitary Development Plan.

-  The Aims of the Core Strategy echo the objectives of the community strategy. The Aims of the Core Strategy are:

o  Protect, enhance and manage the environment

o  Promote economic success with a high quality of life

o  Narrow the Gap between disadvantaged communities and the rest of Leeds

o  Promote and develop Leeds’ role within Leeds City Region as a competitive European City

-  Issues and Alternative Options consultation took place between October and December 2007. Preferred Options are scheduled for late 2008/09 and submission of the Core Strategy for Independent examination is scheduled for 2010. The Local Development Scheme will need to be resubmitted by March 2009 if any changes are necessary to the overall Local Development Framework programme, as a result of Planning Policy Statement 12.

Leeds: A Sustainable City- Information presented by Officers to the Panel included:

-  How sustainability can be achieved with other objectives and targets

-  How sustainability can be achieved in different areas of Leeds

-  Consultation done regarding sustainability and responses received

Economy and Employment Land – Information presented by Officers to the Panel included:

-  The Regional Spatial Strategy makes many references regarding the potential for growth to be increased by Planning.

-  The Regional Spatial Strategy does not state land requirements for offices, but expects the main focus for offices to be the centres of regional cities.

-  The Regional Spatial Strategy provides figures for Local Planning Authorities to take account of with regard to non office land.

-  The potential net change in land required for light industry, manufacturing, storage / distribution is an increase of 390 ha between 2006-21. These figures can be superceded with more up to date figures and local  knowledge so are more flexible than other targets.

-  The Leeds Employment Land Review is currently being undertaken and is nearing completion. PPS6 focuses offices in city centres.

Housing- Information presented by Officers to the Panel included:

-  The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) is an evidence gathering exercise which is expected to conclude by March 2009 with a Call for Sites in October 2008.

-  Housing demand is for different property types- sites should reflect this.

-  There is a need for an increase in affordable housing.

Green Infrastructure- a Greenspace Audit is currently in progress so that greenspace in Leeds can be quantified as required by PPS 17.

Officers presented information relating to different scenarios:

-  Business as usual

-  The Compact City

-  Dispersed Development

-  New Urban Neighbourhood

Members discussed the following issues in relation to this item:

-  The challenges of meeting sustainability targets whilst also meeting housing targets.

-  The scale of the housing targets and possible ways to achieve them.

-  The effects of the current economic climate on current and longer term demand for housing.

-  The importance of ensuring a variety of property types are planned for to meet different needs.

-  The importance of ensuring the locations of employment land meet needs around sustainability and accessibility and the purpose and remit of the SHLAA.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.