Agenda item

Report of Councillor Canniford (attached)

Councillor Canniford presented the report.  He sought approval for the Local Plan Preferred Options document for the purposes of public consultation and thanked officers for the considerable amount of work undertaken in getting to this position.  He suggested that in looking at the Preferred Options document there were two key considerations to bear in mind, namely that the removal of any site would require replacement with an alternative to achieve the required housing numbers, and that failure to achieve the government’s target would increase the risk of speculative planning applications, potentially leading to an increase in planning appeals.  He encouraged local residents to engage in the consultation process and to give their views on the proposed approach and proposals around the climate emergency, and how any shortfall in housing numbers might be addressed.  He referred to the challenges for the Council given the scale of the government’s housing target and the lack of sustainable locations outside the Green Belt.  The comments raised by Mr Garfield and Councillor McQuillan earlier in the meeting were noted.

With reference to the recommendations Councillor Canniford proposed two amendments.  He referred to an omission relating to a proposed primary school in Weston town centre on land fronting Drove Road roundabout he would like added to the Preferred Options Document and identified on the policies map prior to consultation.  He also proposed an amendment to strategic policy SP8 on Housing, suggesting the affordable housing requirement be increased still further to 40% rather than the increase to 35% as set out in the document.

In discussing the report reference was made to the informal member engagement that had been undertaken along with robust scrutiny via the Place Scrutiny working group, established to consider and advise on the emerging approach.  The Panel Chairman thanked all those councillors who had engaged with the process to date.  He referred to the far reaching consequences of the Local Plan and the importance of good public consultation to ensure the views of local people were heard.  Concerns were raised at the scale of the housing targets set by government and members stressed that local people and their representatives were best placed to decide what was best for their areas.  Reference was made to the immense scale of the house building required, with two new strategic growth locations within the proposals and, given the exceptional circumstances in North Somerset with only limited sustainable sites available, the inclusion of sites within the Green Belt.

Members generally welcomed the ambitious target to secure 40% affordable housing but reference was made to the difficulties in meeting current levels and the need to ensure targets were achievable.  Reference was also made to the definition of ‘affordable’ housing, which was still out of reach for many, with too many larger houses being built. It was suggested that a lower number of truly affordable quality housing, with good community facilities would be preferable.  Reference was also made to the benefits of providing flexible housing that catered for a range of ages and needs, and of the importance of finding ways to engage with young people as part of the consultation process.  Members welcomed the focus on viability and sustainable development that addressed climate emergency, active travel and public transport, economic development, affordability and community facilities.

Following detailed discussion, it was

Resolved:

(1)  that  the Local Plan Preferred Options document be approved for the purposes of public consultation, subject to the inclusion of a proposed primary school in Weston town centre on land fronting Drove Road roundabout, and to an amendment to strategic policy SP8 on Housing, to increase the affordable housing requirement to 40%; and

(2) that any subsequent changes to the document required prior to consultation be delegated to the Executive Member for Placemaking and Economy and the Director of Place.

Reason for the decision:

As set out in the report and discussed above.

Alternative options considered:

As set out in the report.