Agenda and minutes

The Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) outlined the process for appointing the Chair of the Committee as set out in the Constitution and indicated that this should be a representative of the Council’s Executive.

Resolved

That Councillor Derek Bastiman be appointed Chair of the Development Plan Committee.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of this Committee, and informed Members that the meeting was being recorded, therefore they would need to introduce themselves when speaking and would need to use the microphones.

Resolved

That Councillor Andy Paraskos be appointed Vice-Chair of the Development Plan Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services outlined details of the remit for the Committee and the Terms of Reference for the Committee were circulated.

A representative of the Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services provided details of the role, purpose and priorities of the Committee.

Resolved

That the Terms of Reference and issues raised be noted.

Considered - the report of the Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services setting out the options which had been considered in progressing the Selby District Local Plan and setting out the recommendation to undertake a further consultation on a revised Regulation 19 Publication Local Plan.

The report highlighted the following:

• The four options which had been considered for progressing the Local Plan for the former Selby district area based on recent Counsel advice and making a recommendation to undertake a six-week consultation on a revised Publication Local Plan (PLP).
• The revised plan removed the proposed new settlement known as Heronby, added three further site allocations, including revisions to policies in response to comments raised as part of the previous consultation stage and any changes required following the publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework in December 2023.
• A consultation on the Publication Local Plan took place between August and October 2022. In total 409 individual responses were received to the consultation, with 202 in relation to a new settlement proposal at Heronby.
• The majority of responses to the Heronby New Settlement proposal were objections based on adverse traffic impact on the A19 and the wider local highway network, impact on the ancient woodland, impact on climate change, the loss of agricultural land and development of greenfield land. Concerns were also raised about the lack of access to employment opportunities and assertions that new housing should be sited in the more affordable areas of the district. City of York Council (CYC) raised concerns based on the highway modelling undertaken stating that the duty to cooperate had not been fulfilled, National Highways had raised concerns in relation to the A19/A64 trip rates, internalisation rates within the site and phasing of infrastructure improvements.
• As a result, legal advice was sought from Counsel on the options available to the Council in relation to the Selby Local Plan in the light of objections which had been made to proposals for a new settlement.

The four options considered were:

Ø  Option 1: Proceed to submission of the Plan in its current form with inclusion of   Heronby

Ø  Option 2: Proceed to submission of the Plan in its current form but on the basis that NYC would propose the removal of Heronby as a Main Modification

Ø  Option 3: Undertake further Consultation on an amended PLP which does not include Heronby

Ø  Option 4 Not proceed with further work on the Selby Local Plan and instead to address the need through NYC’s own Local Plan

• In order to progress the Local Plan with Heronby included as an allocation the City of York Council concerns on highways matters would need to be satisfactorily addressed.
• Further discussions had taken place and the views of both NYC and CYC highways were that they were unable to support the scheme based on the information that was currently available. This did not mean that issues could not be adequately addressed in the longer term, however it was the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Considered – the report of the Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services requesting Members:

a)    Consider the content of the Regulation 19 Draft New Settlement (Maltkiln) Development Plan Document (DPD) and accompanying submission documents and seek renewed agreement for submission to the Secretary of State for public

b)    examination; and

c)     Agree the process of decision making during the Examination in respect of agreeing modifications to the Plan and responding to questions from the Inspector (including the provision of supporting statements and documentation).

The report highlighted the following:

• The development of a new settlement known as Maltkiln was a key part of the Harrogate District Local Plan’s growth strategy, providing much needed homes and jobs in a sustainable location along the York-Harrogate-Leeds rail line.
• The broad location of the new settlement was established in the Harrogate District Local Plan (adopted 2020), but the Plan states that the boundary, form and nature of the new settlement would be set through a development plan document (DPD).
• A draft DPD hads now been prepared setting a thirty-year vision for Maltkiln and a policy framework to guide how it is developed, underpinned by evidence base work, community involvement and public consultation.
• The next and final stage of the DPD process was submission to the secretary of state for an examination in public, allowing independent scrutiny of the DPD and allow a further chance for communities and stakeholders to influence the process and the final DPD.
• If adopted, the DPD would provide a robust framework for the Council to guide and manage the long-term development of Maltkiln.
• The former Harrogate Borough Council in September 2022 published a Regulation 19 consultation and submitted the DPD for examination following that. The decision still has legal standing, but given the time that has elapsed for the reasons set out in the report it was felt prudent to seek re-confirmation of that decision. This report also provided an opportunity to present and agree the final submission documents.
• The draft DPD set a clear and ambitious vision for Maltkiln and a policy framework to guide how it is developedcreatinga mixed-use settlement, where people have access to homes, a range of employment types, local services and facilities, public transport and open spaces, focussed around the Cattal rail station and the new local centre enabling the residents to benefit from key walking, cycling and public transport corridors.
• Preparation of Development Plan Documents is governed by planning legislation and progression of the DPD through the final stages of the process would allow the Council to give increased weight to the Plan in the determination of planning applications. If adopted, full weight can be given to DPDs allowing the Council to drive development of the new settlement in a comprehensive manner.
• Upon submission, the Secretary of State appoints an Inspector to carry out an independent examination of the DPD, dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate. The process was detailed in the report.
• Resultant modifications would be for Full Council (with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

There were no items of urgent business.