Agenda item

This Council notes the outcome of the ‘First Conversation’ and ‘Call for Sites’ stages in the development of the next Local Plan for South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. The Council records its thanks to officers involved in developing the next Local Plan and recognises the work being undertaken by officers to draw up a list of preferred sites. 

In light of the large number of sites put forward in the Call for Sites which affect almost every village/ town and community in our District, this Council calls for Parish and Town Councils to be offered the opportunity to comment on sites put forward for their area and for their views to be taken into account in the process of drawing up a list of preferred sites.

Council agreed the following motion:

The Council records its thanks to officers involved in developing the next Local Plan and recognises the work being undertaken by officers to support the selection of sites for the Preferred Option for the Local Plan, which will be published for full public consultation in 2021.

In light of the large number of sites put forward in the Call for Sites which affect almost every village/ town and community in our District, this Council confirms that Parish and Town Councils will be offered the opportunity to feedback information and comment on sites put forward for their area and that this input will be taken into consideration as part of the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment which will inform the site selection for the Preferred Option stage.

Councillor Heather Williams proposed the following motion:

“This Council notes the outcome of the ‘First Conversation’ and ‘Call for Sites’ stages in the development of the next Local Plan for South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. The Council records its thanks to officers involved in developing the next Local Plan and recognises the work being undertaken by officers to draw up a list of preferred sites. 

“In light of the large number of sites put forward in the Call for Sites which affect almost every village/ town and community in our District, this Council calls for Parish and Town Councils to be offered the opportunity to comment on sites put forward for their area and for their views to be taken into account in the process of drawing up a list of preferred sites.”

Councillor Heather Williams accepted the following amendment to the motion:

This Council notes the outcome of the ‘First Conversation’ and ‘Call for Sites’ stages in the development of the next Local Plan for South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. The Council records its thanks to officers involved in developing the next Local Plan and recognises the work being undertaken by officers to draw up a list of preferred sites support the selection of sites for the Preferred Option for the Local Plan, which will be published for full public consultation in 2021.

In light of the large number of sites put forward in the Call for Sites which affect almost every village/ town and community in our District, this Council calls for confirms that Parish and Town Councils to be will be offered the opportunity to feedback information and comment on sites put forward for their area and for their views to be taken into account in the process of drawing up a list of preferred sites that this input will be taken into consideration as part of the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment which will inform the site selection for the Preferred Option stage.

Councillor Heather Williams expressed her appreciation for the work being carried out on the Local Plan. She requested that the Council provided parish councils with an opportunity to comment on sites before the preferred options were agreed.

Councillor Aidan Van de Weyer seconded the motion. He stated that residents wanted transparency and evidence in the Local Plan process. This meant that consultation should happen early in the process, with the District’s parish councils and other stakeholders.

Councillor Deborah Roberts supported the motion, as it would allow the parish councils in her ward to impart their local knowledge earlier in the process.

Councillor Nigel Cathcart supported the motion, which would allow local communities to comment on all sites, but he expressed concern that it was a joint Local Plan with the City Council, as this meant that the Council’s views could be diluted.

Councillor Dr Richard Williams welcomed the cross party support for the motion, as it ensured that parish councils could make their views known about all potential sites. He thanked the Planning Department for their efforts to engage with parish councils.

Councillor Dr Tumi Hawkins explained that the Council was making great efforts to engage with parish councils and an invitation had been sent to all of them to attend a workshop next Wednesday. She asked Members to let her know if the invitation had not been received.

A vote was taken and by affirmation Council agreed the following motion:

The Council records its thanks to officers involved in developing the next Local Plan and recognises the work being undertaken by officers to support the selection of sites for the Preferred Option for the Local Plan, which will be published for full public consultation in 2021.

In light of the large number of sites put forward in the Call for Sites which affect almost every village/ town and community in our District, this Council confirms that Parish and Town Councils will be offered the opportunity to feedback information and comment on sites put forward for their area and that this input will be taken into consideration as part of the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment which will inform the site selection for the Preferred Option stage.