Issue - items at meetings - City Plan Part Two

Report of the Acting Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture (copy attached).

That the Committee:

1)           Note the scope, purpose and proposed timetable for the preparation of the City Plan Part Two.

2)           Approve the publication of the City Plan Part Two Scoping Paper and Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report for a 12 week period of public consultation, subject to any minor grammatical or editorial alterations approved by the Acting Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture.

3)           Delegate authority to the Acting Executive Director for Economy, Environment and Culture to agree supporting consultation documents (as referred to in paragraph 5.4) which are to be based on the Scoping Document.

4)           Note that the outcome of this consultation will inform the preparation of the draft City Plan Part Two.

7.1       The Committee considered a report of the Acting Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture in relation to City Plan Part Two. The purpose of the report was to advise the Committee on the role and scope of the City Plan Part Two; to set out the proposed timetable for the preparation of the City Plan Part Two and to seek approval of the Scoping Paper for public consultation. The scoping stage would be the first formal stage of consultation on the City Plan Part Two.

7.2       In response to Councillor Mac Cafferty the Planning Policy Manager explained that the city had lost significant office floor space as result of the permitted development for a change of use from office to residential; it was noted that the office space in the centre of the city and the New England Quarter was protected. It was clarified that Central Government intended to make the policy permanent and the Council would review the Article 4 Direction as part of the consultation process; which could include an expansion as an outcome option.

7.3       In response to further questions from Councillor Mac Cafferty the following responses were given. Currently more development than expected was coming forward in the city and there could be the opportunity to review the option for a park & ride scheme – though Officers were not currently aware of any potential sites. In relation Permissions in Principle it was explained that the regulations had not been published. The policy would require local planning authorities to compile a brownfield site register for housing development that could be for as few as five units. The register would be subject to public consultation and would be monitored through the Strategic Land Housing Assessment.

7.4       In response to Councillor O’Quinn it was explained that the City Plan Part One reduced the size of the core hotel area; in terms of leisure and tourism, this could come forward on any site, and part of the consultation in report would seek to identify gaps and include unlisted potential sites.

7.5       Councillor Peltzer Dunn referenced outside amenity space and highlighted the importance of this as new build units had reduced in size over the years. He also welcomed a more open approach to the use space above commercial properties and noted that markets were an effective means to bring vibrancy to an area.

7.6       In response to Councillor C. Theobald it was explained that some urban fringe sites were candidates to become ‘green open spaces’. It was also clarified that the Council was required to include traveller accommodation as part of the assessment of accommodation; the study had been updated and this did include a need for additional pitches.

7.7       Councillor Cattell welcomed the report and stated that she hoped it would receive full support from the Committee.

7.8       The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote.

7.9       RESOLVED – That the Committee:

1)        Note the scope, purpose and proposed timetable for the preparation of the City Plan Part Two.

2)        Approve the publication of the City Plan Part Two Scoping Paper and Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report for a 12 week period of public consultation, subject to any minor grammatical or editorial alterations approved by the Acting Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture.

3)        Delegate authority to the Acting Executive Director for Economy, Environment and Culture to agree supporting consultation documents (as referred to in paragraph 5.4) which are to be based on the Scoping Document.

4)        Note that the outcome of this consultation will inform the preparation of the draft City Plan Part Two.