Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 4th May 2021.

The minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 4th May 2021 were approved.

The following disclosures were made:

      i.        Councillor Bolton in respect of item 6a on the agenda – as the ward Councillor for Shelthorpe. Councillor Bolton stated that she came to the meeting with an open mind.

    ii.        Councillor Brookes in respect of item 6a on the agenda – as a member of Thurmaston Parish Council. Councillor Brookes stated that he came to the meeting with an open mind.

   iii.        Councillor Parton in respect of item 6a on the agenda – as a member of Leicestershire County Council. Councillor Brookes stated that he came to the meeting with an open mind.

   iv.        Councillor Popley in respect of item 6a on the agenda – as a member of Shepshed Town Council. Councillor Popley stated that he came to the meeting with an open mind.

    v.        Councillor Ranson in respect of item 6a on the agenda – as Vice Chair of Barrow Upon Soar Parish Council. Councillor Ranson stated that she came to the meeting with an open mind.

   vi.        Councillor Seaton in respect of item 6a on the agenda – as a member of Thurmaston Parish Council. Councillor Seaton stated that she came to the meeting with an open mind.

No declarations were made.

No questions were submitted.

No questions were submitted.

The following item has been identified for pre-decision scrutiny from the Cabinet agenda for 10th June 2021:

The following item was identified for pre-decision scrutiny from the Informal Cabinet agenda for 10th June 2021:

A report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration to seek approval for the publication of the Pre-Submission (Regulation 19) version of the Charnwood Local Plan (2021-2037) and its supporting documents for public consultation and to recommend that Council submit the Local Plan and its amended supporting documents to the Secretary of State for an Examination in Public.

A Cabinet report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration to seek approval for the publication of the Pre-Submission (Regulation 19) version of the Charnwood Local Plan (2021- 2037) and its supporting documents for public consultation and to recommend that Council submit the Local Plan and its amended supporting documents to the Secretary of State for an Examination in Public. (item 6a on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Lead Member for Planning, the Head of Planning and Regeneration and the Group Leader for Plans, Policy and Place Making attended the meeting and assisted with the consideration of this item. The following summarises the discussion:

      i.        In order to help facilitate the maintenance of a five-year housing land supply in the future, space for 17,776 houses had been identified, which included a 10% flexibility figure.

    ii.        The feedback received through previous consultation on the draft Local Plan had helped to inform the proposals. There were significant concerns in some areas regarding school provision, where schools were at or near full capacity. In order for the establishment of a new primary school in an area, there was a requirement to propose at least 700 houses within that area. Some areas were more appropriate for this level of growth that others, based on a number of factors and it was important that a balance was achieved through the Local Plan.

   iii.        The Council was obligated to provide a 10% biodiversity net gain across all sites proposed and there was confidence that this would be achieved. If it was not possible to achieve this in any site, then the biodiversity net gain for this area could be increased elsewhere in order to maintain an overall 10% biodiversity net gain.

   iv.        Stakeholder engagement had improved since the start of the Local Plan development process and the Council had been working closely with infrastructure providers such as neighbouring local authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups. The Council was not able to directly influence the development of existing GP surgeries. However, the Council was in liaison with the CCG in order to support the facilitation of development in the Local Plan. Stakeholders in areas such as education, health, transport and infrastructure had a good understanding of the plan and were working to support it.

    v.        Subject to approval from Cabinet and full Council, the Local Plan document would be presented to the public in a user-friendly format for public engagement.

   vi.        A ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document had been produced to address issues brought forward by members of the public and to provide clarity on significant matters. This was intended to support the understanding of the content of the Local Plan for members of the public.

  vii.        It was highlighted that there was an error on page 95 of the document, referring to Policy LUA2: North East of Leicester Sustainable Urban Extension. It was stated that the Council would ‘(require) a permanent site for gypsies and travellers of at least 4 pitches and a site of at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.