Agenda and minutes

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)

There were no appeals against refusal.

There was no exempt information.

There were no formal late items.

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

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A Carter and R Finnigan. Councillor A Lamb attended as a substitute on behalf of Councillor A Carter.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held Tuesday, 2^nd March, 2021, as a correct record.

RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Development Plan Panel meeting held on 2^nd March 2021, be approved as an accurate record.

Matters Arising

Minute no 58 – Leeds Site Allocations Plan (SAP) – The Head of Strategic Planning informed the Panel that following endorsement of the Plan at Full Council, Leeds City Council submitted 39 Proposed Main Modifications to the Remitted part of the Leeds Site Allocations to the Secretary of State (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) for independent examination. Further to the main modification proposed for the site at Barrowby Lane, the Planning Inspector has identified an opportunity for consultation on that specific MM; comments can be put forward on MM39 only. Moving forward, the independent examination conducted by the Planning Inspectorate may involve hearing sessions, to respond to any matters raised by the Inspector.

Queen’s Speech – Planning Bill. The Chief Planning Officer provided the Panel with a brief overview of the headlines on the scope of the policy details that are expected to emerge in due course, including the commitment to:

·  Create a faster and more modern planning system;

·  Ensuring homes and infrastructure can be delivered more quickly across England;

·  Transforming the planning system efficiently through digital and map-based technology, whilst allowing for more active public engagement;

·  Helping deliver vital infrastructure whilst protecting the environment;

·  Changes to Local Plans, particularly in relation to zoning and the introduction of new design codes to ensure new homes are of high quality;

·  Decreasing time for developments to go through the planning system;

·  Replacing existing systems of funding for affordable housing and infrastructure for development with a more transparent Levy;

·  Using post Brexit freedoms to enhance framework for environmental assessments;

·  Reforming framework for locally led development corporations to ensure local areas have access to delivery vehicles to support growth and regeneration.

The Panel were informed that legislation is expected to be put before Parliament in Autumn and the Council are awaiting the Governments publication of the responses to the Planning White Paper. A suggestion was made that an update be brought before Panel Members in due course.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer provides Members of the Development Plan Panel with the draft material for the forthcoming Local Plan Update public consultation. The report outlines that the proposed scope for the Local Plan Update is a focus on new or revised planning policy to help further address the climate emergency. The report seeks endorsement to commence consultation on the proposed scope of the Local Plan Update contained within the consultation documents at Appendix 1 and 2.

(Report attached)

Further to the minutes of the meeting held 19^th January 2021, the Chief Planning Officer submitted a report that provided Members of the Development Plan Panel with the draft material for the forthcoming Local Plan Update (LPU) public consultation. The proposed scope for the LPU is a focus on new or revised policy to help further address the climate emergency.

Appended to the report included the LPU Scoping Consultation Material, ‘Introduction, Scope and Summary’ Paper and Detailed Topic Papers.

The Group Manager (Policy and Plans) introduced the report, noting the objective of the LPU being the introduction of new and enhancement of existing planning policies to help address the climate emergency. The Council propose to broaden the scope beyond carbon reduction, to include topics such as flood risk, green infrastructure, place-making and sustainable infrastructure.

The consultation period provides an opportunity to engage with a wide range of stakeholders to understand new technologies and ways of thinking in relation to key roles to play in planning, and how the planning system in Leeds can be adapted to address the climate emergency.

The Panel were provided with a PowerPoint presentation that provided an overview of the format of the consultation as well as a summary of the 5 Thematic Topic Papers. The topic areas set a scope and a draft direction of travel, and the consultation seeks to explore views in relation to:

Carbon Reduction: The current policies do not meet the commitment for Leeds to be net zero by 2030, and changes to reduce emissions will be supported by, whole life carbon costs; reducing carbon emissions from buildings; sustainable construction; resilience to heat renewable energy generation and; heat networks and energy storage.

Flood Risk: It is important to ensure the Council’s policies are informed by most up to date local evidence on flood risk. The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment is currently being updated and the LPU will explore how new developments can better manage flood risk, whilst maintaining a balance with locating homes to facilities that people need. Further considerations include:

o  Whether Functional floodplain should be expanded;

o  Explore whether the LPU can be resilient for all users;

o  The use of sustainable drainage systems to be strengthened;

o  Permitted development rights that allow pavement over front gardens.

Green Infrastructure:

o  To apply concepts such as ecosystems services and natural capital to Leeds;

o  Further protection, improvements and extension of GI network;

o  Planting more/protecting existing trees;

o  Enhanced biodiversity net gain;

o  Natural conservation and ‘connectness’;

o  Improved green space in City Centre.

Place-making:

o  Applying the 20-minute neighbourhood concept;

o  Ensuring high quality design of places through good practice, standards, and design guides;

o  Encouraging active travel;

o  Improving the sustainability of windfall development.

Sustainable Infrastructure:

o  HS2 and Leeds Station – shaping the development of HS2 into Leeds and seeking opportunities for new green and public spaces to be created;

o  Mass Transit – to align with wider spatial priorities and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

The Chair thanked all for their attendance and acknowledged this would be the last meeting Councillor Ritchie will attend before taking on a new role. The Chair thanked him for all the contributions on the Panel and wished him well.

To note the date and time of the next meeting is proposed as Tuesday 6^th July 2021 at 1.30 pm.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 6^th July 2021 at 1.30 pm.

(The meeting concluded at 14:25)