Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer which provides an overview of Stage 2 of the hearings for the examination in public of the Site Allocations Plan and an outline of the process leading up to adoption of the Plan.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which provided an overview of Stage 2 of the hearings for the examination in public of the Site Allocations Plan and an outline of the process leading up to adoption of the Plan.

The Team Leader, Strategic Planning, presented the report highlighting the following:

·  The intensive officer support to the hearings drawn from across the Department and the volume of interest and evidence from interested parties.

·  The two Inspectors had reiterated their role as being to examine whether the Plan as submitted is sound under the provisions of the Revised National Planning Policy Framework transitional arrangements and adopted Core Strategy.

·  The Inspectors had expressed general support for Leeds’ position regarding the need to avoid the release of too much Green Belt land, however had indicated that comments would follow on the Leeds approach of including a Broad Locations policy and associated pool of sites.

·  Throughout the hearings, the Inspectors had identified areas of further work to be undertaken; including consultation on transport modelling work in the Outer North East and Outer South East Housing Market Characteristic Ares (HMCAs); work on the designation of rural land to Green Belt in the Outer North East HMCA, work on the sustainability appraisals of identified site HG1 and updates on the status of sites with expired or no planning permission.

Comments from the Inspectors had been expected within 14 days of the last hearing; and although an actions list had been received (Note EX52) covering weeks 1, 2 and 3 of the hearings, a further document for week 4 was awaited. Should the Inspector identify any main modifications to the Plan, the Authority would respond through Executive Board.

Discussions covered the following issues

·  The Department’s capacity to deal with the comments of the Inspectors in a timely way, alongside the ongoing work for implementation of the CSSR and the resources available to support both process and any ongoing appeals.

·  Members were keen to encourage receipt of early comments from the Inspectors to ensure the SAP continues to progress at pace.

·  The positive view of the process so far.

·  The ongoing work on matters and modifications raised in Note EX52.

·  The need to respond to any suggested modifications swiftly.

Additionally, the Chief Planning Officer provided a precis of three main issues to consider so far:

·  Justification for the green belt designation of former rural land – and whether using the LA boundary is appropriate

·  Broad locations – the Inspector was reviewing mechanisms

·  Whether any changes to sites would be recommended; and if the LA was asked to consider alternatives, would sites already discussed at Inspection be accepted

Members also considered the following:

·  Measures to effectively communicate to residents the differences between the Site Allocations Plan and Core Strategy Selective Review processes.

·  The likely timetable of meetings required to progress the SAP through to adoption by full Council. Members noted the intention to seek assurance that consideration of the SAP would not be delayed and that additional meetings would be called where necessary.

The Chair thanked all who attended the Inquiry sessions for their supportive approach to the SAP.

RESOLVED –

i)  To note the summary of the hearings outlined in this report as part of the independent examination in public of the Site Allocations Plan

ii)   To note that any actions arising will be listed and made available on the examination webpage. This includes:

a.  A note from the Inspectors is anticipated shortly outlining further work required and an indication of future timescales for this.

b.  Consideration by the Inspectors of representations made on the transport modelling work affecting Outer North East and Outer South East HMCAs. The Inspectors shall outline any matters arising from this, which may include a request for a further hearing session.

c.  A request by the Inspectors that the Council undertake further work to outline how the proposed designation of land as Green Belt from Rural Land in the Outer North East HMCA satisfies the tests outlined in paragraph 82 of the NPPF.

d.  The Council submitting further work on identified sites, (HG1) including consultation on a sustainability appraisal of identified sites, and providing further updates on the status of sites with expired or no planning permission.

e.  A request by the Inspectors that the Council submit further Main Modifications to the Plan, particularly in relation to some site specific site requirements, which arose following discussions at the relevant hearing sessions.

iii)  To note the Council’s response to these actions will also be made available on the examination webpage in due course.

iv)  To note the next steps in the process leading up to adoption of the Plan and application of the policies.

v)  To note the intention to create a work plan to plot the process of the SAP against the council meetings necessary to secure its adoption.