Agenda item

Waterbeach Supplementary Planning Documents Adoption

Decision:

Cabinet

 

1.    noted the main issues raised in recent correspondence with the three statutory bodies (Environment Agency, Historic England and Natural England) and in their responses to the SPD consultation in respect of sustainability appraisal and habitats regulations and the considerations as set out in the supplementary report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development (see Appendices A and B);

 

2.    agreed responses to the representations received, and agreed the consequential changes to the draft SPD approved by Cabinet for consultation on 5 September 2018, as set out in the Consultation Statement;

 

3.    adopted the Waterbeach New Town SPD, agreed by Cabinet on 5 September 2018 and as amended (see Appendices B and C); and

 

4.    delegated to the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development, in consultation with the Deputy Leader, the authority to make any editing changes prior to publication. Including to the figures and spatial framework diagram, to ensure consistency with the agreed text of the SPD.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered a report and supplementary report summarising and responding to representations made on the draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) during the public consultation held between 14 September 2018 and 26 October 2018, and relating to recent correspondence from the three statutory consultation bodies.

 

Mr. Goldsmith, representing RLW (the second landowner involved in developing Waterbeach New Town) addressed the meeting. He expressed concerns about the phasing of development, and about ransom. He said that, in order to ensure delivery of appropriate infrastructure and of the new town as a single and comprehensive unit, the SPD must address and remove the question of ransom.

 

The Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development referred to paragraph 14 of the main report. He emphasised the SPD’s status as a guidance document, and its function, which was to support the policies of the Local Plan.

 

The Planning Policy Manager referred to the main issues raised by the consultation, and referred Members to the supplementary report and its contents. By way of clarification, she said that the SPD could not change Local Plan policy. Once adopted it would be a material consideration in planning decisions. She referred to the following question from the Waterbeach Cycling Campaign:

 

"Within the Waterbeach New Town SPD, there are currently no modal share targets for trips made within the development. What is the targeted modal share of cycling, walking and public transport for trips to be made within the new town? If there are no targets, can SCDC explain why not?" 

 

After pointing to paragraphs 25-31 of the main report she undertook that officers would provide the questioner with a written answer as soon as possible.

 

The Planning Policy Manager referred Members to the supplementary report, and to the representations from the Environment Agency, Natural England and Historic England.

 

In relation to water recycling, the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development told Councillor Hazel Smith, a local Member for Waterbeach, that the provision of additional capacity would be for a separate planning process distinct from the SPD. Noting that Cambridgeshire County Council is the appropriate planning authority for waste planning and for the determination of related planning applications.

 

In response to RLW’s suggestion that the SPD should contain an “anti-ransom” clause, the Council had received legal advice to the effect that RLW was not entitled to such a clause, and that such a clause was unnecessary and unreasonable. Officers’ advice to Cabinet therefore was that such a clause was not appropriate.

 

Speaking as a member of the Planning Committee, Councillor Milnes said it would be essential to prevent development of the new town from becoming disjointed. The Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development set out the mechanisms available through the SPD and the planning process generally to secure comprehensive development.

 

Summing up, the Leader said that the Council looked forward to working with the developers to achieve a town that reflected its priorities.

 

Cabinet

 

1.    noted the main issues raised in recent correspondence with the three statutory bodies (Environment Agency, Historic England and Natural England) and in their responses to the SPD consultation in respect of sustainability appraisal and habitats regulations and the considerations as set out in the supplementary report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development (see Appendices A and B of the Supplementary Report);

 

2.    agreed responses to the representations received, and agreed the consequential changes to the draft SPD approved by Cabinet for consultation on 5 September 2018, as set out in the Consultation Statement;

 

3.    adopted the Waterbeach New Town SPD, agreed by Cabinet on 5 September 2018 and as amended (see Appendices A, B and C); and

 

4.    delegated to the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development, in consultation with the Deputy Leader, the authority to make any editing changes prior to publication. Including to the figures and spatial framework diagram, to ensure consistency with the agreed text of the SPD.

Supporting documents: