Issue - meetings

Councillor Elson, Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy, introduced the recommendations of the Executive in respect of the adoption of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) and the Proposals Map, subject to the Inspector’s Main Modifications and the Council’s Additional Modifications.  The Members were advised that the Council had made a commitment in the Core Strategy to prepare the Site Allocations DPD to identify specific sites to enable the delivery of the Core Strategy, including a commitment to release Green Belt land between 2022 and 2027 to provide at least 550 new homes.  In presenting the recommendations, the Portfolio Holder acknowledged that some residents would have concerns over some of the proposals within the DPD and referred to the extensive consultation that had been undertaken.

The Members of the Council debated the proposals, with particular concerns raised over the proposed release of Green Belt land for housing in West Byfleet.  As noted in the recommendations, whilst the DPD presented a sustainable way forward for the development of the Borough taking into account housing requirements, elements of the Inspector’s Final Report were not what some Councillors and local residents would want.  However, it was acknowledged that the failure to timely adopt the recommendations would result in a worse outcome for the Borough as a whole and that the Inspector had been clear in their modifications.

In light of the debate and in accordance with Standing Order 10.8, the names of Members voting for and against the recommendations were recorded.

In favour:                           Councillors A Azad, T Aziz, A-M Barker, K Davis, S Dorsett, G Elson, W Forster, D Harlow, K Howard, D Hughes, S Hussain, C Kemp, A Kirby, R Leach, N Martin, R Mohammed, L Morales, C Rana, D Roberts and J Sanderson.

Total in favour:                  20

Against:                             Councillor A Boote, M Bridgeman and J Brown.

Total against:                     3

Present not voting:            The Mayor, Councillor L Lyons, and Councillors E Nicholson and M I Raja.

Total present not voting:   3

The recommendations were therefore carried by 20 votes in favour to 3 votes against.

RESOLVED

That  (i)    the Local Development Framework (LDF) Working Group accepts that the Inspector’s Final Report is binding and that the Council has a binary choice to adopt the Inspector’s recommendations in full or not to adopt the DPD.  Although in the main the DPD presents a sustainable way forward for the development of the borough taking into account housing requirements, elements of the Inspector’s Final Report are not what some Councillors and local residents would want. Notwithstanding this, it is clear that the failure to timely adopt the recommendations would result in a worse outcome for the borough as a whole.  Taking into account the above and national planning policy, the Working Group recommends that the Inspector’s Final Report and the Main Modifications document be accepted by the Council in full;

          (ii)   subject to the Main Modifications recommended by the Inspector and the Council’s Additional Modifications, the Woking Site Allocations Development Plan Document and the Proposals  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7

Reporting Person – Giorgio Framalicco

Councillor Elson, Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy, introduced a report which recommended to Council to accept the Inspector’s Main Modifications and the Council’s Additional Modifications and adopt the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) and the Proposals Map.  Councillor Elson explained that the Council had made a commitment in the Core Strategy to prepare the Site Allocations DPD to identify specific sites to enable the delivery of the Core Strategy, including a commitment to release Green Belt land between 2022 and 2027 to provide at least 550 new homes.

The Portfolio Holder drew attention to the community engagement and consultation which had been undertaken to inform the preparation of the DPD.  A typo was highlighted in paragraph 1.3 of the report, namely that the Examination Hearings had taken place between 2 December and 11 December 2019, and not 2020.

The Executive was advised that the Local Development Framework (LDF) Working Group had considered the Inspector’s Final Report at its meeting on 22 September 2021.  An amendment suggested by the LDF Working Group had been incorporated into recommend (i) of the Executive report and the Group was supportive of the recommendations.

The Executive was informed that the Inspector had concluded that subject to his Main Modifications, the Site Allocations DPD was sound, legally compliant and its preparation had met the requirements of the Duty to Cooperate.  Councillor Elson stated that the Inspector’s report was binding.  The Executive noted that the Council could not adopt the Site Allocations DPD without the Inspector’s recommended Main Modifications.  The Council, at its meeting on 14 October 2021, would therefore have a binary choice to adopt the Inspector’s recommendations or not to adopt the DPD.

Following a question regarding whether all Green Belt in the Borough could be under threat if the Site Allocations DPD was not adopted, the Executive was informed that there was the likely risk that any Green Belt land that was not designated or protected by policy would be under threat from development if an applicant could demonstrate that the Council had not identified sufficient land to enable the delivery of development required by the Core Strategy.

The Executive was advised that it was not possible for the Council to amend the DPD, apart from minor editorial changes, as the Inspector’s recommendations were binding.  As previously stated, the Council could not adopt the Site Allocations DPD without the Inspector’s Main Modifications.

The Prime Minister’s recent Party Conference speech, which referred to the Green Belt, was highlighted and the Executive was advised that Officers were aware of the contents of the speech and were of the opinion that there was nothing significant or new to cause the Council not to accept the Inspector’s recommendations or adopt the DPD.

The Executive was supportive of the recommendations and thanked the Planning Policy Team for their hard work on preparing the Site Allocations DPD.

REcommended to Council

That  (i)    the Local Development Framework (LDF) Working Group accepts that the Inspector’s Final Report is binding and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6