Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Policy & Plans Group Manager, providing the Outer North East Community Committee with a brief synopsis of the Local Plan Update public consultation.

The report of the Policy & Plans Group Manager provided the Outer North East Community Committee with a brief synopsis of the Local Plan Update public consultation, for general promotion and to gather input from Elected Members and residents on any further community engagement, to raise awareness and encourage participation in the consultation.

The Team Leader for Policy and Plans and Senior Planner from City Development introduced the report and provided the Community Committee with the following information.

·  The public consultation period for Local Plan Update 1 (LPU1) was noted as 10 weeks, beginning on the 24^th of October 2022, with the final week from the date of the committee meeting.

·  The proposed updated policies were in reaction to the council’s climate emergency declaration in 2019, with the ambition to be a carbon neutral city by 2030.

·  Local planning policies will be updated and prioritised in aid of carbon reduction, with extensive, wide reaching consultation is in order to scope for the new or amended policies and assist with understanding negatives, feasibility and practical application.

·  Views from stakeholders, statuary consultees, Leeds residents and businesses had been sought using a variety of means such as webinars and surveys.

A video was played at the meeting which outlined the consultation process in regard to how and where to comment on LPU1 and which aspects comments were being sought on. How the polices impact on carbon reduction, flood risk mitigation, green and blue infrastructure, place-making and sustainable infrastructure were presented. Further information on the consultation can be found via. Local plan update (leeds.gov.uk)

The Committee discussed the following:

·  The 20 minute neighbourhood ideals may be perceived as authoritarian if pressure is put on people to live locally as there are gaps in amenity provision noted in the Outer North East and access to cars is often essential due to inadequate public transport.

·  In response to a question from Members, the youth consultation efforts were outlined as, engagement through surveys, which use less planning jargon, at schools and public events, with incentives such as gift vouchers.

·  Members comments that the consultation should engage further with college students as the future infrastructure and services will affect them considerably as they enter the next stages of life were noted.

·  Concern regarding policy compliance were raised as planning applications under current policies often get recommended for approval when not fully policy compliant. As the costs associated with complying with new policies will fall to the developer this also raises viability concerns.

·  The waterways and flood mitigation policies must take up and down stream considerations and authorities within the locality that share the same rivers must adopt the same polices for a common interest.

·  The updated EN1 policy for a development to be net zero through its lifespan was confirmed by officers to mainly apply to residential and commercial developments. Members agreed this as logical as some developments can create short term carbon for long term gain, such as mass transit systems. An energy officer was confirmed to have been employed for carbon assessments.

·  Incorporating the ‘internet of things’ into new developments (physical objects with sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet) should be encouraged for new developments to assist with advancing technology for public daily life.

·  Members queried the application of policy to current developments; although how much weight can be given by polices in their draft stage is limited the policies need testing before full adoption. Public objection may provide insight as to how much weight to give each policy on individual applications and both current and proposed policies link to the council’s climate emergency declaration.

·  Members were supportive of the new tree policy models with improved processes for tree preservation orders, greater attempt to protect existing trees on site and measuring carbon storage of trees.

RESOLVED - That the content of the report and presentation, along with members comments be noted.