Issue - meetings

Reporting Person – Giorgio Framalicco

The Executive received a report which sought approval to the Council’s response to Surrey County Council’s public consultation on the Minerals and Waste Local Plan – Issues and Options.  Councillor Elson, Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy, advised the Executive of the key points covered in the Council’s response, which included the need to relocate the existing operations at the Aggregates Yard to a suitable and appropriate location.

It was noted that an Aggregates Site Working Group had been set up by Council at its meeting on 2 December 2021 comprising of the three Ward Members, the County Divisional Member for the Ward, and the Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure.  The Executive was informed that the Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure, Cllr Kemp, had met Network Rail last week and would be looking to set up the Working Group as soon as possible.

Following a query regarding the implications of the timing of HIF works and relocation of the Aggregates Yard, the Executive was advised that the two were not co-dependant.  It was noted that there were significant benefits for relocating the Yard which were not linked or dependent on the HIF project.  The Portfolio Holder commented that the Council’s response to the consultation provided a careful balance of the two objectives.  It was suggested that the response could be strengthened regarding the human impact of the current location of the Yard.

RESOLVEd

That  (i)    the response to the Minerals and Waste Local Plan – Issues and Options consultation, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be noted;

          (ii)   delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning to submit the Council’s response (as set out in Appendix 1 to the report) to Surrey County Council before the end of the consultation period; and

          (iii)  delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to continually engage with the County Council and respond to any future consultation on the subsequent stages of the Plan-making process if this is deemed necessary.

Reason:   To ensure that the views of the Council regarding minerals and waste management and development are fully considered by the County Council during the preparation of the Minerals and Waste Local Plan.