Agenda item

To consider the attached report (C-021-2019/20).

The Cabinet noted the progress of the Masterplans and Concept Frameworks, including the use of Planning Performance Agreements and the progress of other proposals at pre-application and application stage.

The Planning Services Portfolio Holder introduced the report updating the cabinet on progress in the implementation of the Local Plan. He stated that the Council is continuing to make progress on the Local Plan to address the Inspector’s actions set out in her advice note dated 2 August 2019 and a lot of background work to update the Habitats Regulation Assessment was taking place. He had been asked what the costs was so far for preparing the Local Plan. Going back to when this was started at around 2011, he estimated that by the end of next year the Council would have spent somewhere in the region of £5 million on commissioning external support to prepare the evidence base, legal costs and the costs of the examination.

The Council has now responded to the advice letter of the inspector but were not expecting a formal response prior to the general election.

As part of the Independent Examination of the Local Plan, the Council had agreed and signed Statements of Common Ground with all the site promoters of the following strategic sites: North Weald Bassett, Waltham Abbey North, South Epping, West Ongar and South Nazeing.  In relation to the Garden Town allocations, which consists of Latton Priory, Water Lane and East of Harlow, the Council were able to sign Statements of Common Ground with all of the principle site promoters.

The strategic sites were progressing well and were all on track to meet the delivery of housing noted within the Housing Implementation Strategy Update 2019.

Councillor Bedford noted that a further report on the Epping Forest SAC would be brought to the December Cabinet, which had now been postponed. He was told that it would now be going to the rescheduled January cabinet meeting instead.

Councillor S Kane asked about the Quality Review Panel (Appendix D). He noted that a number of schemes appeared several times in that list but had no indication of change of status as they progressed through, could this be expanded on. He was told that if a developer came forward with a well designed scheme then it probably would not need to reappear on the Quality Review Panel list. If you see a scheme that has appeared multiple times on the panel then you can assume that they have reworked their scheme a number of times. We are a unique district and it may take a number of times to get an application up to scratch with a good quality design that fits in its context. We want any developments to make this a better place to live.

Decision:

The Cabinet noted the progress of the Masterplans and Concept Frameworks, including the use of Planning Performance Agreements and the progress of other proposals at pre-application and application stage.

Reasons for Proposed Decision

To ensure that members were kept fully up to date on the progress of Masterplans and Concept Frameworks and other major proposals being promoted within the District.

Other Options for Action:

Not to update members on the progress on the above issues would be contrary to the commitment made by the Implementation Team as noted in the 18 October 2018 Cabinet Report.