KEY DECISION

Report No. 188/2019

1.    Cabinet considered the assessment of the scale of development to meet identified needs as set out in Appendix 1 and determines the growth objectives for the Local Plan in terms of housing and employment land requirements.

2.    Cabinet considered the assessment of proposals set out in Appendix 2 regarding the distribution of development including the principle of establishing a garden community in Rutland as an appropriate amendment to the Spatial Strategy.

3.    Cabinet considered, subject to 1 above, the assessment of proposals to establish a garden community in Rutland as set out in Appendix 2 and agrees that: (a) the evidence available regarding the proposals to create a new community at Woolfox does not demonstrate that these are viable and deliverable; and (b) the evidence available regarding the proposals to create a new community at St. George’s demonstrates that these are viable and deliverable on the basis that Housing Investment Fund support is now confirmed.

4.    Cabinet considered and, subject to the above considerations, approved the Local Development Scheme as set out in Appendix 3 which establishes the timetable for the production of the Local Plan and associated development plan documents.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Planning, Property, and Finance submitted his report and responded to the questions and deputations that were submitted at the Growth, Infrastructure and Resources Scrutiny Committee held on the 19^th December 2019 – appended to these minutes.

Following the response, the Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding – Adults, Public Health, Health Commissioning & Community Safety stated that he supported the opportunity to have a Garden City and that it should be considered as a positive opportunity for Rutland.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services and Education echoed the opinion of the Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding – Adults, Public Health, Health Commissioning & Community Safety and considered the project to be exciting and visionary.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the assessment of the scale of development to meet identified needs as set out in Appendix 1 be considered and determines the growth objectives for the Local Plan in terms of housing and employment land requirements.

2.    That the assessment of proposals set out in Appendix 2 regarding the distribution of development including the principle of establishing a garden community in Rutland as an appropriate amendment to the Spatial Strategy be considered.

3.    That, subject to 1 above, the assessment of proposals to establish a garden community in Rutland as set out in Appendix 2 be considered and agreed that: (a) the evidence available regarding the proposals to create a new community at Woolfox does not demonstrate that these are viable and deliverable; and (b) the evidence available regarding the proposals to create a new community at St. George’s demonstrates that these are viable and deliverable on the basis that Housing Investment Fund support is now confirmed.

4.     That, subject to the above considerations, Cabinet considered and approved the Local Development Scheme be approved as set out in Appendix 3 which establishes the timetable for the production of the Local Plan and associated development plan documents.

REASON FOR DECISIONS:

          The report sets out the implications for the Local Plan regarding:

·       The new National Planning Policy Framework;

·       The quantum of new development to be proposed in the Local Plan; and

·       The distribution of development including an assessment of proposals for the creation of a potential new community in Rutland. 

Consideration of the issues will assist in the next stage in the process of preparing the Local Plan, which will be the publication of Pre-Submission Local Plan.  It is intended that this will be published in line with the timetable set out in this report.  The clear intention is to ensure that the plan is sound, positively prepared, justified, and effective, as well as being consistent with national policy and legally compliant.  In this regard, it should be noted that the revised NPPF includes the tests of soundness so that the Local Plan should be 'an appropriate strategy', and not 'the most appropriate strategy' as set out in the previous NPPF.