Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing an update on the recent progress made in preparation of the EASEL Area Action Plan (AAP), and outlining the next steps, particularly with respect to proposals for further consultation and information sharing on the proposed plan changes with residents and stakeholders.

Further to Minute No. 29, 6^th January 2009, the Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the recent   progress which had been made in preparation for the East and South East Leeds (EASEL) Area Action Plan’s (AAP) eventual submission for independent examination, and outlining the next steps in the process, which particularly related to further consultation and information sharing with residents and stakeholders on the proposed changes to the AAP.

The Panel received a summary of the key themes detailed within the report. These included:-

Ÿ  An overview of the recent progress which had been made in relation to the EASEL and Aire Valley town and local centre assessment, the   EASEL drainage strategy and the EASEL transport strategy;

Ÿ  The next stages in the development of the AAP, particularly in relation   to greenspace;

Ÿ  The proposed methods and timescales intended to be followed as part   of the consultation and information sharing strategy;

Ÿ  The key changes to the AAP which appeared on the current deposit draft, following the conclusion of the ’Preferred Options’ stage. 

Following the introduction to the report, a discussion then ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

Ÿ  Members received further detail on the potential levels of interest from supermarkets in acquiring those sites which had been identified as the most viable and sustainable in the area;

Ÿ  The Panel discussed several of the possible interventions which had been proposed by Mouchel as part of its strategy to improve the sustainability of transport in throughout EASEL;

Ÿ  Members received further details on the comprehensiveness of the proposed consultation and information sharing process and the methods which would be used to undertake it. Emphasis was then placed upon the need to ensure that all relevant Ward Members were involved in this process and that all relevant information relating to EASEL was communicated effectively between all parties, including internal departments;

Ÿ  The Panel sought clarification on several individual issues relating to flooding, provision of shops and greenspace in specific areas across EASEL;

Ÿ  Members received further information on the potential implications for those local residents residing in neighbourhoods which may be identified as ‘future regeneration areas’.

RESOLVED -  That the progress which has been made with respect to the EASEL Area Action Plan be noted, along with the next steps which relate to the further development of the EASEL AAP and the production of the submission draft.

(During the consideration this item, Councillor Gruen indicated that he was a Member of Plans Panel (East) and could possibly be considering matters relating to the EASEL initiative at a later date in that capacity.

He stated that in view of this, and in order to avoid any perception of pre-determination should any such matters be submitted to Plans Panel, any contributions he made at today’s meeting were merely on a strategic basis. Councillor Gruen also stated that he would not be bound by any discussions or decisions taken at today’s meeting should any related matters come before Plans Panel (East), but would consider all representations presented at that planning meeting before reaching a conclusion based on the merits of the case).