Agenda and minutes

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.

Councillor D Blackburn - agenda item 9 – Report of Area Action Plans Preferred Options Consultations on West Leeds Gateway - declared a personal interest as a member of the West Leeds Gateway  Board (minute 5 refers).

Councillor Anderson - agenda item 9 –Report of Area Action Plans Preferred Options Consultations on West Leeds Gateway - declared a personal interest as Chair of the Friends of City Museums (minute 5 refers).

Councillor Fox – agenda item  9 – Report of Area Action Plans Preferred Options Consultations on West Leeds Gateway - declared a personal interest as a Member of the West North West Homes Leeds area panel for the North West Outer Area (minute 5 refers).

To approve the minutes of the Development Plan Panel meeting held on 15^th January 2008.

RESOLVED-  That the minutes of the Development Plan Panel meeting held on 15^th January 2008 be approved.

The Chair welcomed new members of the Committee.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development  which provides an overview of the broad scope and content of the Adopted Plan (21 May 2008) and the implications for Leeds and the Local Development Framework.

Members considered a report by the Director of City Development which provided an overview of the broad scope and content of the Adopted Plan (21^st May 2008) and the implications for Leeds and the Local Development Framework.

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

·  The Adopted Regional Spatial Strategy was issued on 21^st May 2008

·  Key points of the Strategy were:

o  Vision:  -  Bradford had been identified as a Regional City

  -  Policy YH9 indicated that a ‘strategic review of the West Yorkshire Green Belt may be required to deliver longer term housing growth

o  Environment:  -  New developments of more than 10 dwellings should secure at least 10% of energy from decentralised and renewable or low carbon sources

o  Housing:    -  The ‘annual average net additions to the dwelling stock 2004-2026’ of 4300 per year is confirmed for Leeds

    -  Policy H2 allows for phased housing development to take account of renaissance and renewal

  -  The target for affordable housing is 30/40%

The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly are now working on a Regional Spatial Strategy Review which has been prompted by the 2007 Housing Green Paper in relation to housing growth and eco-town proposals.

Members discussed the following issues in relation to this item:

·  the role of the Development Plan Panel in the formulation and consultation processes of the Regional Spatial Strategy

·  the relationship between the target of 4300 new homes per year in Leeds and the changing state of the housing market and the need to look at the long term strategy to 2026

·  the effect of the Regional Spatial Strategy on green belt land, and the possible need for a review

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that this Panel regret that little account was made of representations made by Leeds.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development which informs of the progress of the Leeds Local Development Framework Core Strategy and detailing information received in response to the consultation. The report includes a basic framework for the preparation of Preferred Options which sets out a context for the broad direction of the strategy and related policy areas.

Members considered a report by the Director of City Development which informed of the progress of the Leeds Local Development Framework Core Strategy and detailed information received in response to the consultation. The report included a basic framework for the preparation of preferred options which set out a context for the broad direction of the Strategy and related policy areas.

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

·  The consultation process included:

·  Approximately 380 responses were received

·  Responses varied by interest group

·  There was strong support for protection of employment land

·  There was general public support for town centre growth, with the exception of Otley and Kirkstall

A schedule of initial responses to the consultations was tabled for information.

Members discussed the following issues in relation to the item:

·  the importance of maintaining public engagement in the consultation process

·  the importance of ensuring that members are kept updated and consulted on issues relating to the Leeds Local Development Core Strategy, particularly in relation to Affordable Housing targets and planning matters

·  the role and effectiveness of sustainability appraisals

·  the importance of good public transport and ensuring that employment land is accessible to workers

RESOLVED – That the outcome of the Core Strategy issues and alternative options consultation and the next stages in the preparation of Preferred Options for consultation be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development which updates on progress of the West Leeds Gateway Area Action Plan (AAP), describing the responses received from the recent Public Consultation on the AAP and outlining the next steps to be undertaken in moving forward to the final stage of plan preparation, the publication of Submission Draft Area Action Plan.

Members considered a report by the Director of City Development which updated on progress of the West Leeds Gateway Area Action Plan, described the responses received from one recent public consultation on the AAP and outlined the next steps to be  undertaken in moving forward to the final stage of plan preparation, the publication of submission of the Draft Area Action Plan.

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

·  Public consultation on the Preferred Options for the West Leeds Gateway Area Action Plan took place between 26^th February and 8^th April 2008

·  This report summarises the current position following the consultation. The Plan is due to be adopted in 2010

·  A range of consultation methods were used including

-   distribution of summary documents, flyers and questionnaires distributed at various locations

-  exhibitions and drop in sessions at different venues including libraries and supermarkets

-  information published in Yorkshire Evening Post and the Armley Tourist Board website

-  96 individual representations were received, together with petitions of 326 and 27 signatures – a total of 449 responses

·  There was overall support for the Plan, with the exception of demolitions proposed in Wortley

·  Armley Gyratory was key to many respondents

·  New Wortley was a major concern, there is a strong sense of community there and residents want to stay there. The Plan proposed some demolition to encourage new housing – with the exception of the ‘T Blocks’ in the New Wortley estate, respondents did not agree with this proposal

·  Next steps – further discussions are needed regarding the proposed demolitions in New Wortley, in consultation with West North West Homes and the timing of housing decency works to the properties that remain

·  Agreement of a framework or planning brief to secure the future of Armley Mills

·  Development of a realistic delivery plan to clearly demonstrate that the AAP will be successful in facilitating the regeneration of West Leeds

Members discussed the following issues in relation to the item:

·  The number of properties that were proposed for demolition

·  The importance of maintaining public engagement with the consultation  

process

·  The need for completion of the definitive footpath map

RESOLVED – That the comments made on the AAP Preferred Options and the actions which are being taken to move the plan forward towards adoption be noted.

Tuesday 8^th July at 1.30 p.m. in the Civic Hall.

Tuesday 8^th July 2008 at 1.30 p.m., in the Civic Hall, Leeds.