Agenda item

To receive the report of the Director of City Development with regard to Leeds Site Allocations Plan for consideration in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework.

The publication draft site allocations plan (appendix 2 and 2a) is provided in hard copy format to Board Members only (with the agenda). This information can be accessed on the web based version of the Scrutiny Board agenda on the Council Website using the following link.

http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=1039&MId=7691&Ver=4

The Director of City Development submitted report to facilitate scrutiny of Leeds Site Allocations Plan (SAP) in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework.

The following information was appended to the reports:

·  Appendix 1 – Chronology of Key Milestone Decisions by Development Plan Panel, Briefings with Ward Members and Public Consultation Events.

·  Appendix 2 – Site Allocations Plan, Sections 1 & 2 (Introduction and Overview) and Section 3, Area Proposals, Publication Draft. September 2015

·  Appendix 3 – Summary of Pre Submission Changed to 10 Housing Market Characteristic Areas in the Site Allocations Plan (Excluding Outer North East) Following Development Plan Panel Meetings on 14^th and 28^th June and 19^th July 2016

The following representatives were in attendance to respond to Members queries and comments:

-  David Feeney, Head of Strategic Planning

-  Martin Elliot, Group Manager (Policy and Plans)

-  Lois Pickering, Team Leader Local Plans

-  Andrew Hall, Head of Transportation 

-  Cllr Richard  Lewis, Executive Board Member

The key areas for discussion were:

·  An overview of the process and key milestones from scoping the SAP to current date including required regulatory stages of the SAP decision making process. 

·  Housing requirements contained within the Core Strategy and how that had been determined.

·  The extent to which communities are involved in the decision making process behind both the Core Strategy and SAP, and the extent to which neighbourhood planning influenced the development of the SAP.

·  The whole Council approach to the development of the SAP with the involvement of external partners to ensure the needs of communities are considered, such as highways, schools, health.

·  Concern regarding the continued availability of employment sites across the city.

·  Clarity regarding the green belt review processes and how it was integral within the process when bringing forward site allocations

·  Consultation strategy and public engagement with hard to reach groups. The value of utilising social media during key periods of consultation to direct the public to appropriate information. 

·  With regard to transport infrastructure clarity was sought regarding the links between the SAP and evolving Transport Strategy. The Board were advised that the city’s development needs are being taken into account. 

·  The influence of flood risk assessments in the development of the SAP.

·  The extent to which both small and large windfall site figures impact on housing targets detailed within the Core Strategy and site allocations.

·  The lack of flexibility for Local Authorities within planning processes and the determination of housing numbers. 

RESOLVED – The Scrutiny Board:

a)  Considered the proposals that are to be referred to the Executive Board 

b)  Will report Scrutiny Board (City Development) deliberations and conclusions to the Executive Board when next due for consideration. (Currently scheduled February 2017)