Agenda item

The Director of Planning, Development and Transportation submits a report summarising the delivery of the Ashton Green development programme and progress since the last reporting to the Scrutiny Commission in March 2019.

A presentation will be given at the meeting.

The Director of Planning Development and Transportation submitted a report to provide an update on the Ashton Green Development.

The Programme Manager for Planning Development and Transportation presented an overview of the report using the slides attached. Key points to note were:

• Outline Planning Permission was held for 130 hectares of land. This would enable the creation of up to three thousand homes.
• Local Plan examination was considering an eastern expansion along with plans for a secondary school.
• The latest phase of the plan consolidated the previous 15 smaller developments parcelled into 6 or 7 broader developments.  
• Regarding timescales, Morris Homes had completed 100 in late 2020 and Phase B, Tilia Homes would have completed 162 of 307 homes.
• The Morris and Tilia Homes would include 30% affordable housing.
• Morris Homes was the selected developer for Phase C. The proposal was for 440 homes. Planning Permission was hoped to be secured this year so that work could commence on site.
• Land had recently been taken to the market and there had been a positive response. This would be reported back at a later date.
• On the western side, Phase F had scope for around 915 homes.
• The high-level land use plan includes housing and large scale employment land.
• Green infrastructure including open space and sustainable drainage areas would be managed by the site wide open space Management company, Meadfleet Limited.
• Service payments would be taken from residents, this would pay towards managing the green spaces.
• The site wide masterplan had been updated bringing everything up to date and highlighting development already achieved.
• A significant amount of highway infrastructure had been delivered, about £25m since 2013. External funding of £10m had been secured from Homes England to open up land for 1,000 homes.
• £5m had been secured from National Highways towards the £10m Anstey/ A46 improvement scheme.
• Traffic calming measures, cycling and walking improvements had been put into place as part of this.
• In Phase A, Morris Homes had created an ecology area and landscaping area.
• There was some small-scale work with volunteers.
• Morris Homes hoped to be on site for November 2025 to commence Phase C. This would create 440 dwellings, of which 132 were allocated affordable housing units.
• In addition to the homes, substantial highway improvements were planned.
• It was acknowledged that overall timescales had seen delays. COVID had impacted significantly amongst other factors.
• Developer bids for Phases D and E had seen a good response and it was anticipated that partners could be announced by Easter 2025. This will enable the creation of about 525 dwellings.
• In 2013, land had been sold to Samworth Brothers who rapidly expanded the site. Around 750 new jobs being created as a result. The Local Authority had played a part in this by building a road extension to the site. It was hoped that similarly, there would be increased employment with future phases of large scale employment land to be released.
• The new Ashton Green Design Guide brought everything up to date and included the development strategies, quality standards information and highway design aspirations.
• Future Phases C2 and C3 will be a mixed-use village centre with shops and commercial buildings. But a critical mass of new homes was necessary before retailers would come on board. Significant ongoing discussion with internal stakeholders was required.

Members were invited to comment and ask questions, Responses were as follows:

·       Regarding bus services, it was hoped that provision could be balanced with housing numbers and testing would need to be done. Outline planning permission was to come. The Local Authority was looking at bus subsidies across the city so Ashton Green could come into these considerations.

·       Highway capacity had been considered jointly by both Leicester City and Leicestershire County Councils at the start of the project. Discussions had included the potential for connecting with the A46 but the National Agency had opposed this. There were substantial improvements made to Anstey Lane down to the A46 which would benefit the surrounding network.

·       Discussions could take place with the bus companies about extending existing bus services, but again this would depend on capacity of dwellings.

·       To date, the focus had been on building housing in line with the set government timescales. Large developers tended to offer speed of delivery but future opportunities could be looked at for smaller developers. This however could present challenges in terms of infrastructure. Local apprenticeships were a consideration particularly on smaller developments.

·       An update on ESOL Skills Bootcamps would be coming to scrutiny in March 2025. It would be possible to look at opportunities for local construction workers at that point.

·       Regarding questions from Climate Action Leicester it was noted that:

o   The original 2011 planning consent required all homes to be delivered to the former level 4 code Staple Homes Standard. Currently progress fell in line with the Future Homes Standard emissions target for 2050.

o   There was a functioning cycle route in place connecting the development to Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre. Wider cycle routes were embodied in the programme to consider cycle connectivity within and outside of the development. 

o   Cycle routes connecting to the new secondary school were in consideration.

·       A County Council development (Broadnook) was in close proximity to Ashton Green and communications were in place between the authorities and District Council to consider cumulative impacts. Large sites tended to come with considerable green space which created buffers and major conservation opportunities.

·       Discussions on the secondary school included placement and road access.

AGREED:

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That comments made by members of this commission to be taken into account by the lead officers.

3)    For continued liaisons with local Councillors regarding issues impacting on local and future residents.

4)    Formal responses to be shared back regarding questions from Climate Action.

5)    Climate Action points to be taken into consideration.