Issue - meetings

Reporting Person – Giorgio Framalicco

Councillor Elson, Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy, introduced the report which provided an overview of the Woking Town Centre Masterplan and which sought Executive approval of the budget of £100,000 for the preparation of the Masterplan.  Discussion ensued regarding timeframes and it was highlighted that the report set out three options for consultation on the Masterplan ranging from 6 months to 36 months.  It was noted that community engagement would be central to the preparation of the Masterplan and that timeframes could be clarified as the Masterplan journey progressed.  It was noted that the Masterplan would sit within the Council’s current planning policy framework and that there was a need to ensure momentum to take forward the Masterplan as soon as possible in order to provide certainty and to show where investments could take place.  Following a question regarding the rail station flyover, the Executive was informed that, although the flyover was not part of Network Rail’s current capital programme, it remained part of its future planning to increase capacity on its rail network and the reason Network Rail had invested significant funds into the new Victoria Arch bridge.

RESOLVEd

That  (i)    the overview of the Town Centre Masterplan, as set out in the report, be noted;

          (ii)   the budget for the preparation of the Masterplan, which is estimated to be £100,000, be approved; and

          (iii)  delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to oversee the preparation of the Town Centre Masterplan to its adoption.

Reason:   To help provide a framework to guide development within the Town Centre.