Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the September meeting of Development Plan Panel.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstance shall be specified in the minutes).

In accordance with his powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to accept the following late information, which was not available at the time of agenda despatch:

-  Matters arising from the Minutes – 7^th August 2012 (Minute No. 35 refers)

-  Core Strategy Report – Revisions to Key Diagram (Minute No. 37 refers)

-  Core Strategy Report – Analysis of Responses on Placemaking / Centres Policies (Minute No. 38 refers)

-  Core Strategy Report – Consultation response in relation to managing the growth of Leeds Bradford International Airport. (Minute No. 43 refers)

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of pecuniary and other interests.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillors B Anderson and J Lewis.  Notification had been received that Councillor J Proctor was substituting for Councillor B Anderson.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Development Plan Panel meeting held on 7^th August 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th August 2012, be approved.

Members were referred to a copy of matters arising from the August Development Plan Panel meeting.  The information was being made available on the Council’s website following this meeting.

Phil Crabtree, Chief Planning Officer, provided a brief update on proposed planning reforms following a recent announcement by the Secretary of State.  This would include extending the time limit for planning applications and a review of local and national standards.  It was anticipated that the changes would form part of the Regeneration Act.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development providing a brief update on the progress made with the Leeds CIL, and the Economic Viability Study currently being undertaken by consultants GVA. 

The Director of City Development submitted a report which provided a brief update on progress made with the Leeds Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and the Economic Viability Study currently being undertaken by consultants GVA.

The following officers and external representative attended the meeting:

-  David Feeney, Head of Forward Planning and Implementation

-  Phil Crabtree, Chief Planning Officer

-  Lora Hughes, Principal Planner

-  Dale Robinson, GVA.

The key areas of discussion were:

• Concern about the lack of engagement with Elected Members, particularly in relation to progress made with the Leeds CIL and development of an Economic Viability Study.  Members were advised that the outcome of this work would be reported back to Development Plan Panel prior to consideration by Executive Board.
• Concern about the impact of shifts in national policy, particularly, affordable housing policies.

RESOLVED – That the information relating to the CIL for Leeds, especially the current work on the Economic Viability Study, and the future actions to develop the Leeds CIL, be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development reviewing the consultation responses in relation to Section 1 - 4: Introduction, Profile of Leeds Metropolitan District, Spatial Vision & Objectives, Spatial Development Strategy (Overview) & Key Diagram.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which reviewed the consultation responses in relation to Section 1 - 4: Introduction, Profile of Leeds Metropolitan District, Spatial Vision & Objectives, Spatial Development Strategy (Overview) & Key Diagram.

A copy of the proposed changes were appended to the report.

The following officers attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions and comments:

-  David Feeney, Head of Forward Planning and Implementation

-  Phil Crabtree, Chief Planning Officer

-  Janet Howrie, Principal Planner.

The key areas of discussion were:

• There was a need to provide further explanation of the key diagram.
• It was agreed to provide Members with a schedule of UDP saved policies.

RESOLVED – That the Development Plan Panel endorses the analysis of the issues raised and suggested Core Strategy text changes, subject to amendments, for presentation to Executive Board for approval.

(Councillor Harington joined the meeting at 2.28pm during the consideration of this item.)

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development reviewing the consultation responses in relation to the overall approach to retailing and centres including Strategic Policy SP2 and the Placemaking chapter Policies P1 to P9 (the City Centre is covered by a separate report).

The Director of City Development submitted a report which reviewed the consultation responses in relation to the overall approach to retailing and centres including Strategic Policy SP2 and the Placemaking chapter Policies P1 to P9.

A copy of the proposed changes were appended to the report.

The following officers attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions and comments:

-  David Feeney, Head of Forward Planning and Implementation

-  Phil Crabtree, Chief Planning Officer

-  Robin Coghlan, Team Leader (Policy)

-  Lora Hughes, Principal Planner.

The key points of discussion were:

• There was concern about the multiplication of charity shops and the impact on independent traders.  It was agreed to delete the wording in para. 5.3.17 after the word “approach” to read as follows “The Core Strategy supports new retail provision in a sustainable manner, directing it towards all the town and local centres across the District (as identified in Policy P1) rather than following a market share approach”.
• The Chief Planning Officer advised that the issue of change of use was being considered as part of the Portas review.  It was agreed to report back to Members with an update on this.

RESOLVED – That the Development Plan Panel endorses the analysis of the issues raised and suggested Core Strategy text changes, subject to amendments, for presentation to Executive Board for approval.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development reviewing the consultation responses in relation to the Placemaking chapter and the overall approach to retailing and centres.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which reviewed the consultation responses in relation to the Placemaking chapter and the overall approach to retailing and centres.

A copy of the proposed changes were appended to the report.

The following officers attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions and comments:

-  David Feeney, Head of Forward Planning and Implementation

-  Phil Crabtree, Chief Planning Officer

-  Robin Coghlan, Team Leader (Policy).

It was agreed to amend reference to the ‘White Rose area’ on page 123 of the report.

RESOLVED – That the Development Plan Panel endorses the analysis of the issues raised and suggested Core Strategy text changes, subject to amendments, for presentation to Executive Board for approval.

(Councillor P Gruen joined the meeting at 3.05pm during the consideration of this item.)

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development reviewing the consultation responses in relation to the housing requirement (Policy SP6) and housing distribution (Policy SP7).

This item was deferred to the Development Plan Panel meeting on Wednesday, 26^th September 2012.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development reviewing the consultation responses in relation to Policies H1, H2, H3, H4 and H8 of the housing chapter.

This item was deferred to the Development Plan Panel meeting on Wednesday, 26^th September 2012.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development reviewing the consultation responses in relation to Spatial Policy 10: Green Belt.

This item was deferred to the Development Plan Panel meeting on Wednesday, 26^th September 2012.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development reviewing the consultation responses in relation to SP12 ‘Managing the growth of Leeds Bradford International Airport’.

This item was deferred to the Development Plan Panel meeting on Wednesday, 26^th September 2012.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development reviewing the consultation responses in relation to a number of Miscellaneous topics (including Soundness, NPPF compliance, General Environment & Economy, Consultation, Habitat Regulations Assessment, Sustainability Appraisal, Equality Impact Assessment and Health Impact Assessment.)

This item was deferred to the Development Plan Panel meeting on Wednesday, 26^th September 2012.

This report was admitted as a late item.  The report reviews the consultation responses in relation to Spatial Policy 1: Location of Development.

This item was deferred to the Development Plan Panel meeting on Wednesday, 26^th September 2012.

Tuesday, 2^nd October 2012 at 1.30pm.

• Tuesday, 2^nd October 2012 at 1.30pm
• Tuesday, 23^rd October 2012 at.1.30pm.

(The meeting concluded at 3.38pm.)