Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on progress of the Site Allocations Plan (SAP).  The SAP Inspectors have released a post-hearing note and a further response, which together provide interim views on broad locations/green belt and offers guidance on the next steps.  This is the first feedback received on the SAP and provides a positive way to move the process forward. 

(Report attached)

Further to minute 17 of the meeting held 11^th September 2018, the Panel considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer which provided an update on the progress of the Site Allocations Plan (SAP).

The Group Manager, Policy and Plans, introduced the report and highlighted the contents of a post-hearing note received from the SAP Inspector providing interim views on Leeds’ approach to Broad Locations/green belt:

-  The Inspector agreed with the proposed Plan period and Leeds’ approach to remove fewer sites from the Green Belt

-  The Inspector did not agree that the Broad Locations approach was necessary and had invited the Authority to remove them from the Plan.

One further issue was highlighted – the Inspector suggested that modifications based on the post-hearing note should be made to the initial draft SAP, not the modified SAP submitted for Inspection which included Broad Locations. In response, officers were currently undertaking work to achieve the modifications to the initial draft SAP, including the requested sustainability appraisal on conversion of rural land/green space in the east of the City, with the intention that the modifications would be submitted to the Inspector in November.

At that stage, the Inspector will consider whether any further modifications should be made to the SAP; and if necessary, indicate any sites that she considers are not sound and request the Authority seeks alternative sites from within the same Housing Market Characteristic Area. Executive Board will then consider and approve all modifications be subject to consultation after which, the Inspectors final report will be issued and presented to full Council with a recommendation to adopt the SAP.

Members discussed the following:

·  The timescale for each stage of the process and likely implementation, recognising the need for possible additional meetings to ensure the SAP process progressed at speed.

·  Any parts of the SAP not identified for modification by the Inspector would carry weight at appeals the Authority defends or any planning applications to be determined during the SAP process.

·  Noted the SAP Inspector had also been appointed for the separate CSSR inspection process and would be familiar with Leeds – with likely CSSR hearings to be held in February 2019.

Members sought assurance that consultation would be undertaken should the Inspector identify sites to be removed from the SAP and seek alternatives. It was noted that there would be no public consultation on the modifications submitted by the Council at that stage, but that consultation with Members would be carried out and then all main modifications recommended by the Inspector would be subject to statutory consultation. It was noted that the Chief Planning Officer, in conjunction with the Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning did have delegated powers to approve modifications which would assist the speed of the SAP process. The Panel was advised that at this stage in the process, the Inspector had not required the Authority to revisit any of the sites put forward in the SAP; rather to revisit the use of the Broad Locations approach and repackage the sites accordingly.

A request that any future communication from the SAP Inspector setting out any modifications or view of the SAP be shared with Panel Members was noted for action.

In conclusion the Chair reiterated that the Department had the resources necessary to respond swiftly to future communications from the Inspector and that relevant officers; the Chair and Executive Member were committed to the SAP and aware of the need to respond in a timely fashion with the Panel where necessary. Additionally he thanked officers for the work undertaken so far; and thanked members of the Panel for their collective approach to the SAP

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the Inspectors initial views on the Site Allocations Plan.

b)  To request that any future communication from the SAP Inspector setting out any modifications or view of the SAP be shared with Panel Members.