Issue - meetings

Cabinet AGREED:

1. That the Planning Policy Manager be requested to review and clarify the intent of the wording in revised paragraph 55 as presented to the meeting and that the Deputy Leader of the Council be authorised to confirm the wording of that paragraph having regard to the professional advice of the Planning Policy Manager;

2. That the following additional paragraph 61a be included in the response:

“Electricity Grid Capacity

61a  The Council is aware that there are electricity grid capacity issues facing development in the southern part of South Cambridgeshire, which require investment from developers to facilitate grid reinforcement. It is important that Uttlesford District Council give consideration to whether energy infrastructure upgrades are required to support development in its district as part of infrastructure delivery planning, as the costs and timescales for grid reinforcement could have an impact on both development viability and delivery timescales.”; and

3. That subject to 1 and 2 above, the Council makes representations on the Uttlesford Local Plan Regulation 19 consultation consistent with the submitted report and particularly paragraphs 22 – 62.

This decision was first published on Thursday 2 August and so the deadline for call-in is 5pm on Thursday 9 August. If not called-in this decision can be implemented on Friday 10 August.

PLEASE SEE DEPUTY LEADER OF COUNCIL DECISION BELOW

Cabinet AGREED:

1. That the Planning Policy Manager be requested to review and clarify the intent of the wording in revised paragraph 55 as presented to the meeting and that the Deputy Leader of the Council be authorised to confirm the wording of that paragraph having regard to the professional advice of the Planning Policy Manager;

2. That the following additional paragraph 61a be included in the response:

“Electricity Grid Capacity

61a  The Council is aware that there are electricity grid capacity issues facing development in the southern part of South Cambridgeshire, which require investment from developers to facilitate grid reinforcement. It is important that Uttlesford District Council give consideration to whether energy infrastructure upgrades are required to support development in its district as part of infrastructure delivery planning, as the costs and timescales for grid reinforcement could have an impact on both development viability and delivery timescales.”; and

3. That subject to 1 and 2 above, the Council makes representations on the Uttlesford Local Plan Regulation 19 consultation consistent with the submitted report and particularly paragraphs 22 – 62.

Cabinet considered a report, amended because of its earlier consideration by the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, and a short supplementary report which, together, focussed on the contents of the Pre-Submission Uttlesford Local Plan (Regulation 19) consultation as they affect South Cambridgeshire.

Councillor Brian Milnes outlined the observations made by members of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, and Councillor Anna Bradnam reminded those present about the report on this same topic in August 2017. The Deputy Leader said that any relevant aspect of the 2017 report would be incorporated into the new submission.

Cabinet said that certainty was needed in relation to transport infrastructure and the implications of development before necessary transport improvements.

Following further discussion, Cabinet agreed

1. That the Planning Policy Manager be requested to review and clarify the intent of the wording in revised paragraph 55 as presented to the meeting and that the Deputy Leader of the Council be authorised to confirm the wording of that paragraph having regard to the professional advice of the Planning Policy Manager;

2. That the following additional paragraph 61a be included in the response:

“Electricity Grid Capacity

61a  The Council is aware that there are electricity grid capacity issues facing development in the southern part of South Cambridgeshire, which require investment from developers to facilitate grid reinforcement. It is important that Uttlesford District Council give consideration to whether energy infrastructure upgrades are required to support development in its district as part of infrastructure delivery planning, as the costs and timescales for grid reinforcement could have an impact on both development viability and delivery timescales.”; and

3. That subject to 1 and 2 above, the Council makes representations on the Uttlesford Local Plan Regulation 19 consultation consistent with the submitted report and particularly paragraphs 22 – 62.