To consider the draft Edgar Street Grid Design Framework Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and make recommendations to the Cabinet Member (Environment).

A copy of the SPD is enclosed separately for Members of the Committee.

Ward: Central

The Team Leader Local Planning presented a report about the draft Edgar Street Grid Design Framework Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). He said that the document was included within the Council’s Local Development Scheme and had been produced in line with the requirements of the Town & Country Planning (Local Development)(England) Regulations 2004.  He explained that the Edgar Street Grid comprised of 43 hectares of land to the north of the city centre. It included significant uses such as the Livestock Market, Hereford United Football Club, the railway station and a number of buildings of architectural and historic importance such as the Blackfriars Friary. The area also accommodated a wide range of industrial, commercial and residential uses.  He suggested that there was a unique opportunity to develop an under-utilised area of land thereby strengthening the role of Hereford as a sub regional shopping centre and ensuring that the City played an important role in the wider rural economy.  He advised that the role and purpose of the SPD was to:

·         establish an urban design framework in a positive and enabling manner to ll guide landowners, developers and the community on the form development proposals should take;

·         address and supplement with additional information the policies contained within the Unitary Development Plan;

·         provide greater certainty for the market on what is expected from future schemes;

·         ensure the delivery of a comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development for the Grid area;

·         ensure sustainability for the delivery of a scheme which balanced social, environmental and economic considerations with integration between the Grid development and the existing city centre through successfully addressing the barrier effect of Newmarket St./Blueschool St., as well as connecting to other key facilities;

·        address significant issues of traffic congestion and air quality, particularly to the south of the Grid area where an Air Quality Management Area has been defined; 

·         provide new development opportunities which can be integrated within the historical setting of listed buildings and other key features of the Grid area as well as archaeology issues;

·         address the fact that the Grid is subject to multiple ownerships which creates significant land assembly challenges; and

·         address land which floods on the Grid including land to the north of Merton Meadows and around the Police playing fields.

The Team Leader Local Planning provided a summary of some of the key regulations which govern the process of producing an SPD and explained the consultation process which was involved.  Councillor DJ Fleet felt that the draft was an excellent document, particularly with the focus on sustainability but had some concerns about the issues regarding the ring road, flooding of part of Merton Meadow and alternative lorry and car parking arrangements.  Councillor Mrs PA Andrews asked about relocation of the football ground and the Team Leader Local Planning said he knew of no such proposals but that it would be possible to reorientate the ground on the present site.  Councillor WJ Walling asked about the proposals for altering the route of the ring road and the Team Leader Local Planning said that a route had been identified to link Edgar St to Commercial Road.  The Head of Planning Services said that the process to acquire land for the route would commence shortly and that it was seen as important for the road to be in the first phase of the Edgar St Grid scheme.

Having considered further details about the draft SPD, the Committee commended it to the Cabinet Member (Environment). 

RESOLVED

That subject to minor amendments that may result from the internal consultation, the Cabinet Member (Environment) be recommended to approve the draft Edgar Street Grid Design Framework SPD for consultation purposes in line with the Town & Country Planning (Local Development)(England) Regulations 2004