Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Director of City Development, summarising the overall scope of the CSSR Inspector’s recommended Main Modifications (MMs). The Panel is requested to recommend that Executive Board approve the Inspector’s MMs, which would be subject to a 6 week consultation period.

(Report attached)

Further to minute 65 of the meeting held 19^th March 2019, the report of the Director of City Development provided the Panel with a summary of the overall scope of the CSSR Inspector’s recommended Main Modifications (MMs). The Panel are asked to recommend Executive Board approve the Inspector’s MMs, which would be subject to a 6 week consultation period.

The Planning Strategy Team Leader, presented the report and provided an update on the CSSR process.

The Panel were informed of an amendment on page 7 of the report which should read ‘17^th May 2019’ as a start date for the consultation period. Members noted the CSSR would be considered by Executive Board on 16^th May 2019 with a Recommendation to agree public consultation on the Main Modifications. Members heard the public consultation would run from Friday 17^th May 2019 – Friday 28^th June 2019.

Prior to the meeting, the panel received supplementary information due to be considered at Executive Board on 16^th May 2019, which included:

·  Executive Board Report

·  Appendix 1 – Inspector’s recommended Main Modifications

·  Appendix 2 – Sustainability Appraisal Addendum

The Panel discussed the following key issues with officers:

Revised Housing Distributions SP7

A Member queried whether a table showing the revised distribution with actual numbers of dwellings could be made available on the council website. Officers explained in making the CSSR document streamlined, it wasn’t necessary to input numbers which may change. Members noted the offer for officers to report back and provide an update note upon adoption of the SAP and CSSR. The Chair suggested that upon adoption of those policies, there will be a need for Ward Member briefings, and this will provide an opportunity for new/existing Members and officers, to be updated on changes.

Climate Change EN1

A Member requested clarity on how the proposed modification allowed decision makers to assess the ‘20% better than’ energy efficiency standards, and queried the information available. Officers confirmed an implementation note is being produced, and will be useful specifically for Plans Panel Chairs and officers.

Officers clarified:

·  Parts of EN1 are out of date and there is still a need for clarity on how the policy is implemented;

·  Government are looking at how to reintroduce a policy around sustainable construction;

·  A change to building regulations is proposed to tighten environmental standards;

·  At application stage (Reserved Matters and Outline), there will be details on how developments are to be built to energy efficiency standards and an addition of conditions will be introduced.

Sustainability Appraisal (SA)

A Member requested more information in regard to SA scoring. Officers explained the process of a matrix included within the database and that for each 23 objectives, there are a number of sub objectives. Officers explained the scoring process looks at how proposals work in terms of sustainability and how technology has been used to compile the SA electronically. Members noted an offer from officers, to provide training and an overall summary on how SA scoring is carried out.

CSSR timescales

Officers provided the Panel with an update on the expected receipt of the Inspector’s report. The Inspector is aware of the intention of full adoption in September and in the meantime, significant weight can be attached to policies in the CSSR.

In recognition on the importance of keeping all planning officers up to date on emerging policies, the Head of Development Management updated the Panel on a meeting which had taken place between Policy and Planning colleagues, which provided officers with an update on CSSR changes and briefing notes would be made available on the changes, subject to Members consideration.

The Chair suggested that upon receipt of the Inspector’s report, a meeting with DPP Members be arranged, before a Full Council meeting in September.

RESOLVED-

A.  To note the contents of the report, including the Executive Board report and its appendices (at Appendix 1) and the comments made during the discussions on the progression of the CSSR and;

B. To unanimously agree the contents of the Report enclosing Inspectors schedule of Main Modifications (Appendix 1 of the Executive Board report) and Sustainability Appraisal addendum (Appendix 2 of the Executive Board report) in order for Executive Board to consider at its forthcoming Special Meeting to approve the same and enter into a 6 week public consultation period.