Minutes:
a) Question from Councillor Hulbert to Councillor Bray
“Could the Leader inform the Council what the new National Planning Policy Framework says about sustainable developments such as the one proposed for Barwell?”
Response from Councillor Bray
“The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is underpinned by a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’. Paragraph 14 of the NPPF clearly emphasises this:
Indeed, the Ministerial foreword (made by the former Minister for Planning, the Right Honourable Greg Clark M.P) to the NPPF confirms “sustainable development is about positive growth – making economic, environmental and social progress for this and future generations…. Development that is sustainable should go ahead without delay…”.
“At the heart of the National Planning Policy Framework is a presumption in favour of sustainable development, which should be seen as a golden thread running through both plan-making and decision-taking.
For plan-makingthis means that:
· local planning authorities should positively seek opportunities to meet the development needs of their area;
· Local Plans should meet objectively assessed needs, with sufficient flexibility to adapt to rapid change, unless:
n any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole; or
n specific policies in this Framework indicate development should be restricted.
For decision-takingthis means:
· approving development proposals that accord with the development plan without delay; and
· where the development plan is absent, silent or relevant policies are outof date, granting permission unless:
n any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole; or
n specific policies in this Framework indicate development should be restricted.”
The guidance goes on to reaffirm that “Housing applications should be considered in the context of the presumption in favour of sustainable development (para 49 NPPF).” It further states in relation to support growth and urban extensions that “The supply of new homes can sometimes be best achieved through planning for larger scale developments, such as new settlements or extensions to existing villages and towns……” (para 52 NPPF).
Underpinning this support for sustainable growth, the NPPF states that “The Government is committed to ensuring that the planning system does everything it can to support sustainable economic growth. Planning should operate to encourage and not act as an impediment to sustainable growth. Therefore, significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth through the planning system.”(para 19 NPPF).”
b) Question from Councillor Hulbert to Councillor Bray
“Could the Leader inform me when the idea of a sustainable urban extension for Barwell and Earl Shilton was first mooted? And which group controlled the Council at the time?”
Response from Councillor Bray
“A Draft Core Strategy Preferred Options Document was published for public consultation in July 2006 (prior to the Liberal Democrats gaining control of Hinckley & Bosworth at the 2007 election). This identified the Council’s preferred vision for shaping future development in the Borough until 2026. The Spatial Objectives of the preferred option were identified as:
· Spatial Objective 1: Overarching principles of sustainable and spatial development – the principles of sustainable and spatial development form the basis for this strategy, taking a holistic view of the Borough and working in partnership to address the challenges
· Spatial Objective 2: Development Framework – To deliver well designed and balanced housing, employment, community, leisure and cultural provision to meet the needs of the Borough up to 2026, concentrating most new development on previously developed land and comprehensively planned urban extensions adjacent to the existing urban core of the Borough.
The Preferred Option Core Strategy – July 2006 included a section entitled “Directions for Growth – Development Framework”. This section included reference to the assessment of sub-areas within which development would be channelled. The preferred sub-areas included:
West of Barwell – land lying to the west of Barwell up to the A447. Development here would provide an opportunity to meet future housing needs.
South of Earl Shilton (land lying to the south of Earl Shilton up to the line of the proposed Earl Shilton bypass. Development here would involve a planned urban extensionproviding homes, employment supporting facilities and accessible open space.”