Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

Contact: Helen Gray (0113) 3788657  Email: helen.gray@leeds.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Chairs Opening Remarks

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed all present to the first meeting of the new municipal year, particularly new Panel members Councillor Andrew Carter and Councillor M Shahzad.

 

2.

Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded)

 

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting)

Minutes:

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

 

3.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

 

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

 

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

 

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:

Minutes:

The agenda contained no exempt information.

 

4.

Late Items

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

 

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

Minutes:

There were no late items of business.

 

5.

Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct

Minutes:

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest.

 

6.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor McKenna. The Panel welcomed Councillor R Grahame as substitute.

 

7.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 20 KB

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting held 15th May 2018 as a correct record.

 

(Copy attached)

Minutes:

RESOLVED – To approve the minutes of the meeting held 15th May 2018 as a correct record

 

8.

Matters Arising

Minutes:

Minute 82 Thornhill Estates – The Panel noted the appeal was scheduled to be considered by the High Court on 21st June 2018 with the outcome being reported directly to Members afterwards.

 

Additionally, Members discussed the Inspectors recent decision to allow the Pool appeal. It was reported that the scheme as allowed by the Inspector was significantly altered from the scheme refused by the Authority. Members noted comments on a developing trend for applicants to lodge an appeal against refusal as early as possible; and to then produce altered schemes throughout the appeals process. The Panel requested information on the number of occasions this had occurred for their consideration and to inform any future representation which the Authority may make to the Secretary of State on this practice. Members also noted a request for planning case officers to keep local ward Councillors up to date with appeals, but did acknowledge that significant changes to development proposals during an appeal required officers respond to the Inspector within tight timescales in the first instance.

 

The Board received brief updates on a number of other sites currently going through the appeal process.

RESOLVED – To note the information provided and the comments made for future consideration.

 

9.

Submission of the Leeds Core Strategy Selective Review pdf icon PDF 441 KB

To consider the report of the Director of City Development which invites the Panel to recommend to Executive Board, that it in turn recommends that Council approves the Core Strategy Selective Review alongside supporting material and evidence for submission to the Secretary of State so that it may be subject to independent examination by the Planning Inspectorate.

 

The report sets out Submission Draft policies for the CSSR which cover the housing requirement for a new plan period of 2017 – 2033, update affordable housing and green space policies, introduce new policies on housing standards (size and accessibility) and update the sustainable construction Policies EN1 and EN2 to reflect national advice; and introduce a new policy on electric vehicle charging points. The report also highlights the steps taken to get to this advanced stage of plan preparation and notes the main issues raised at consultation on the proposed submission documents.

 

(Report attached)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to the meetings held throughout 2017 and 2018, the Panel considered the report of the Director of City Development inviting the Panel to recommend to Executive Board, that it in turn recommends that Council approves the Core Strategy Selective Review alongside supporting material and evidence for submission to the Secretary of State so that it may be subject to independent examination by the Planning Inspectorate.

 

The report detailed the Submission Draft policies for the CSSR which included updates of existing policies and sought to establish new policies to reflect national advice and guidance. The report set out the steps taken to get to this advanced stage of plan preparation and noted the main issues raised at consultation on the proposed submission documents.

 

The Core Strategy Selective Review included amendments to the Adopted Core Strategy (contained in Appendix 1 of the submitted report) as follows:

·  A review of the housing requirement in Policy SP6, housing distribution in SP7, with a Plan period of 2017 - 2033

·  Introduces new minimum space standards for new housing in Policy H9 and new accessibility standards in Policy H10

·  Updates policy requirements for Affordable Housing by amending Policy H5

·  Reviews the requirement for green space in new housing developments by amending Policy G4 and making minor amendments to Policies G5 and G6

·  Incorporates new national policy regarding Code for Sustainable Homes by updating the wording of Policies EN1 and EN2 and a consequential change to EN4

·  Introduces a new Policy for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EN8)

 

The report included a Sustainability Appraisal Report attached as Appendix 2 and a Non-Technical Summary included as Appendix 3 which will support the policies at the submission stage, along with relevant supporting material which included the following:

·  Report of Consultation (setting out details of the consultation activities occurring at each regulatory stage, representations made on the Plan at Regulation 19 stage, the Council’s response to these and the changes proposed as a result)

·  Duty to Cooperate Statement (setting out continuous engagement with statutory prescribed bodies (including neighbouring authorities and statutory agencies) as set out in Section 33A(1)(c) of the Act))

·  amendments to the Core Strategy Monitoring Framework

·  Habitats Regulation Assessment

 

Additionally, the CSSR was also supported by an evidence base available on the CSSR website including an Economic Viability Study 2018 (undertaken by GVA consultants), the Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2017 (undertaken by ARC4 consultants); and formal Background Papers (including further information following Submission and Draft Publication on Water Management in support of amended Policy EN2).

 

The Planning Strategy Team Leader presented the report and provided background and context to the CSSR and reported receipt of 1062 representations, 926 in objection; 129 in support and 7 neutral submissions – all of which had been considered and assessed by officers.

 

The Panel discussed the following key issues with officers: 

Policy SP6 Housing requirement 2017-2033

·  The figure of 51,952 had been previously endorsed by Council; no specific reasons or alternative proposals for a different distribution of land and/or figure had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 17th July 2018 at 1.30 pm

Minutes:

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 17th July 2018 at 1.30 pm