Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Aqbany, the Assistant City Mayor for Neighbourhood Services Councillor Master and the Director of Finance.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

There were no Declarations of Interest received.

The minutes of the meeting of the Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Commission held on 28 September 2020 are attached and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

Agreed:

The minutes of the meeting of the Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Commission held on Thursday 28 September 2020 are confirmed as a correct record.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any petitions submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The monitoring Officer reported the no petitions had been received.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any questions, representations and statements of case submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no questions, representations or statements of case had been received.

The Head of Planning and Development submits a presentation informing the Commission on the Draft Local Plan (2020-2036) Public Consultation.

Members of the Commission are recommended to receive the presentation and pass any comments to the Head of Planning and Development.

The Head of Planning and Development delivered a presentation informing the Commission on the Draft Local Plan (2020-2036) Public Consultation.

It was noted that the final plan would be delivered in Autumn 2021 and the progress on the final plan will start in 2022.

As part of the discussion it was noted that areas that have been put forward as proposals out for consultation and are not yet confirmed. The next stage would be to consider if the proposed sites were suitable for development. 

It was noted that public transport links would be incorporate all proposed development sites and the strategy would also include both walking and cycling routes.

It was noted that the Council did not own the General Hospital site, but the NHS would release land for potential developments at the site.

Members of the Commission thanked Officers for the presentation and raised their concerns with the rise in population there would be a rise in public amenities. It was suggested that these should be incorporated within the plans to minimise the impacts later.

Members raised their concerns with what the local authority were doing to protect old green spaces. Officers noted that not all green spaces were proposed for development and that, new development sites would deliver good quality open spaces on site.

It was suggested that the policy on use classes would need to be considered as the majority of use classes were being categorised as one. This would help protect certain areas around the city.

It was recognised that places of worship for different faith groups in the city would still be needed across the city with the rise in population. It was suggested that appropriate locations such as employment areas would be considered. This would have the least impact on residential areas and highways.

The Chair raised his concerns with A5 dwellings. It was suggested that the Council should consider restrictions on certain locations around the city to minimise on concentration and protect other public amenities. Officers noted that this was an area that was being considered and work was in the process of its feasibility.

AGREED:

Members of the Commission recommended that that Head of Planning and Development be requested to:

1)    Note the Comments made by Commission Members,

2)    That new developments accommodate public amenities to meet the needs of a growing population through engagement with local Councillors,

3)    That policies protect local areas across the city,

4)    That green and open spaces are protected to promote well-being and protect wildlife,

5)    Include guides on food hubs and their impacts on local areas,

6)    And that, all future developments are energy efficient with green energy and green transport.

There being no other items of urgent business the meeting closed at 05:15pm