Issue - meetings

The Council had before it a report on a petition seeking the protection from development of the Green Belt in Byfleet and West Byfleet.  The Mayor welcomed Alan George to the meeting who was given the opportunity to present the petition on behalf of those who had supported it.  Following the presentation, the Councillors were given an opportunity to ask questions of Mr George for clarification before the matter was debated.  Mr George reiterated the concerns of residents over the loss of the Green Belt, the increase in traffic that would result from the development of the land for housing and the lack of infrastructure such as schools and health care to support new developments.

In considering the petition, the Council noted that it had arisen in response to the Council’s consultation on the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) which had taken place between 5 November and 17 December 2018.  As part of the development of the DPD, the Council had been required to review the Green Belt by the Secretary of State, noting that approximately 62% of the Borough was defined as Green Belt. 

The Site Allocations DPD would be submitted to the Secretary of State by the end of July 2019 once the Council had had the opportunity to review all the representations received during the consultation.  In view of this, the report before the Council recommended that the petition should be taken into consideration as part of the review of the representations received.  It was further noted that residents would have a further opportunity to comment on the proposals through the Secretary of State.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bittleston, moved and Councillor Azad seconded the suggestion set out in section 3.1 of the report, namely that the petition should be taken into account as part of the review of the responses received in respect of the consultation on the DPD. 

In accordance with Standing Order 10.8, the names of Members voting for and against the motion were recorded.

In favour:                                Councillors H Addison, S Ashall, A Azad, D Bittleston, G Chrystie, G Cundy, K Davis, D Harlow, Mrs B Hunwicks, S Hussain, C Kemp, N Martin, R Mohammed, C Rana and M Whitehand.

Total in favour –                     15

Against:                                  Councillors M Ali, J Bond, A Boote, M Bridgeman and M I Raja

Total against –                       5

Present not voting:                 A-M Barker, I Eastwood, K Howard, D Hughes, L Lyons, L Morales.

Total present not voting –      6

The motion was therefore carried by 15 votes in favour to 5 votes against.

RESOLVED

That the petition be taken into account as part of the review of the responses received in respect of the consultation on the Site Allocations Development Plan Document.