Agenda item

Officers from the Local Plan team will be present to give an update on the Local Plan.

Team Leader (Generic Planning) Fabian D’Costa gave a presentation on the Draft Leicester Local Plan (attached).

A resident asked what would happen if the neighbouring districts refused to take on some of Leicester’s housing need as was required by the plan.

Fabian D’Costa explained that Leicester City Council (LCC) had been working with the neighbouring district councils for the past two years as the tight boundaries had been exhausting options within the city.  He added that the importance of open space in the city was recognised and as such brownfield sites were being considered, whilst being sensitive to heritage aspects of those sites.

It was asked as to how housing density was being approached with regard to keeping green space.  It was further asked as to where growth was coming from in the city.  Concern was expressed over loss of green space.

Fabian D’Costa clarified that all authorities needed evidence to support their figures based on births, deaths and migration in and out of the city (including students) and that work was done jointly with the neighbouring districts on the housing needs assessment.  The government had been looking at how these figures were calculated, and it was possible that they may change.  He added that 400 sites had been put to the public and a shortlist was done on these sites, however there was still a way to go to see if they would be deliverable.

On the matter of open space and housing density he stated that low-density housing was aimed for in suburban areas with around 30 dwellings per hectare rising to 50 per hectare in the Central Development Area and a target of 2.88 hectares of open space per 1000 of the population.  He added that the quality of open space would be improved where possible.

Responding to a query about whether there would be a consultation per-site, Fabian D’Costa responded that there would be a consultation in 2021 on sites brought forward and comments had been made on individual sites.

Councillor Cassidy raised the issue of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) and stressed the need to limit them.

Councillor Waddington added that the concentrations of HMO in the ward were resulting in family homes being lost.  She also highlighted certain brownfield sites in the ward that should be developed including on Repton Street.  She further added that green spaces needed plans for improvement.

She raised two further questions, concerning the consequences of developments and growth of population and the planning process for proposed new schools.

Fabian D’Costa informed those present of ‘Article 4 areas’ which restricted the numbers of HMO containing 3-6 unrelated people in a property (more than 6 needed planning permission in any area) and added that these areas were being considered for extension.  He added that there was a draft plan to assess the impact of HMO.  Action: Fabian D’Costa to find out timescale on plans for HMO.

Senior Planner Rachael Mkanza responded to Councillor Waddington on the issue of Brownfield sites.

Those present were made aware of three large employment sites and two proposed sites in the plan.  She added that the sites mentioned by Councillor Waddington could be considered, however their use would depend on the landowners and whether they made applications and what any applications were made for.  Action: Rachael Mkanza to find out more about sites proposed by Councillor Waddington.

Racheal Mkanza further explained that viability assessments were done on sites used for employment to ascertain as to whether they could continue to be used and that some not suitable for employment could be given a different use.

Fabian D’Costa added that landowners were invited to submit land as part of the process and a call for sites had been put out.  He further added that sites would need to be assessed for issues such as flood risks.

Regarding Repton Street and flood risks, the Community Engagement Officer read out an email from Programme Manager David Beale:

Officers were encouraging the landowners to work together to understand the technical constraints of redevelopment (principally the flood risk) and explore options for how they might be overcome. Officers would work with the landowners to assist in this work where they could, but ultimately it would be for the landowners to come up with a viable solution which allows the sites to be developed safely, without increasing the risk of flooding elsewhere. The landowners understood this and should they reach a point where a viable solution can be considered, this would be reported back on.

Councillor Cassidy reminded those present that they could contribute their views before 7 December 2020 via email, questionnaires and the LCC website.