Agenda item

Resolved: The Committee recommended that further training for all members be provided on the contents of the plan. Members believe that consideration should be given to creating an easy read/accessible version of plan. It also recommended that the annual review of the plan should include the Chair of the Sustainable Development Select Committee.

3.1    David Syme (Head of Strategic Planning) introduced the report - setting out the process for preparing the plan, the changes that had been made and the relationship between this plan and the development of the Local Plan. The following key points were noted:

·         The infrastructure delivery plan identified the strategic infrastructure required to support the level of growth anticipated in the borough. This included social infrastructure, green spaces, transport requirements and utilities.

·         It focused on strategic requirements and did not capture all development needs. Local needs would be further considered as part of the assessment of major planning applications through the community infrastructure and section 106 processes.

·         A range of partners were consulted on the development of the plan.

·         Work had taken place with the Greater London Authority to determine the impact of the pandemic and Britain’s departure from the European Union on population growth. The population figures were not dissimilar from those used in the early versions of the plan.

·         It is intended that the infrastructure delivery plan becomes a delivery document, in line with the Council’s capital programme.

3.2    David Syme and Emma Talbot (Director of Planning) responded to questions from the Committee and the following key points were noted:

·         The annual infrastructure funding statement would detail all community infrastructure and section 106 spending.

·         The Council had adopted a proactive approach to the co-location of public services.

·         Further information could be provided about leisure facilities in Whitefoot.

·         The Council’ regeneration and capital strategy boards prioritised spending on community infrastructure projects. Officers recognised the importance of green space.

·         Consideration would be given to including additional information about the urban district park in the infrastructure delivery plan. Further work was taking place on mapping and assessing the potential for a district park in Grove Park.

·         There had been some deregulation of planning classes – making it slightly more difficult to prioritise certain types of development.

·         An amendment would be made to the description of youth services in Grove Park.

·         Consideration would be given to the naming of the potential district park in Grove Park – whilst recognising the importance of using planning terminology and the wishes of the local community.

·         A new air quality management plan was currently in development.

·         It was recognised that there had been a focus on the north of the borough in previous local plans – because of the extent of development in the north of the borough.

·         Consideration would be given to preparing an accessible summary document of the plan to be shared more widely.

·         It was intended that the plan be regularly updated.

·         There were requests from partner organisations that it would not be possible to fulfil. There would be ongoing discussions with stakeholders.

3.3       In Committee discussions the following key points were also noted:

·         Members highlighted the perceived discrepancy between development in different areas of the borough (specifically the divide between north and south)

·         Members would welcome additional financial information in the plan.

3.4      Resolved: The Committee recommended that further training for all members be provided on the contents of the plan. Members believe that consideration should be given to creating an easy read/accessible version of plan. It also recommended that the annual review of the plan should include the Chair of the Sustainable Development Select Committee.