To update the Committee on progress with the Local Development Framework.

The Committee received an update on progress with the Local Development Framework. (LDF)

Elizabeth Morawiecki, Chairman, Breinton Parish Council submitted the following questions:

1. In its Place Shaping Consultation document the Council stated that “2.8 to ensure that consideration of sustainable development is built into the core strategy, a process of Sustainability appraisal (SA) is undertaken throughout the preparation process.  In addition,… any development …will be subject to rigorous examination through a process of Habitat Regulations Assessment HRA).”  As neither of these reports are yet available and the fact that the Hereford Relief Road Study options was only signed off on 10th September, how can this council put forward a preferred option for Hereford and propose a western relief road when all the evidence is not yet available for councillors and officers to consider?
2. As the preferred option for Hereford under the LDF and the choice of a western relief road so closely follow the housing and transport proposals initially put forward by the Church Commissioners and Bloor Homes in their 2008 plan for future development in Hereford, please confirm that the sale of 48 acres of land by the Church Commissioners to Herefordshire Council for the new cattle market was in no way connected to these forward plans by a major landowner who stands to make considerable profits from the councils preferred options?  In addition, would the council now publish all the correspondence and contracts relating to the purchase of land at the new cattle market site as there can now be no commercial sensitivity arising from these documents?
3. Why is the council determined to continue to follow a level of housing growth in Hereford that has been shown by 2 Council commissioned transport reports to actually increase journey times within the city even if at least £86million and likely considerably more, is spent on a relief road.

Responding to question 1 The Planning Policy Manager reported that for consultation to take place there needed to be something to consult upon.  Both the SA and the HRA had been published at each stage of the process and in principle both had been through the iterative process as part of the Place Shaping paper.  Consultation could be undertaken at the same time as the SA and HRA process.

Questioned about whether sustainability should be established first, the Planning Policy Manager responded there was no reason that sustainability could not be undertaken at the same time as the remainder of the work as this would speed up the process. 

The Cabinet Member (Environment and Strategic Housing) responded to comments about the timing and method of the release of information to Council members by assuring the Committee that members would receive information before it was released to the press or placed on the web site.  However, he warned that timescales would be tight and members may not receive much notice.  He emphasised that Cabinet on 16 September 2010 would only be deciding whether to approve the Hereford Core Strategy: Hereford Preferred Option paper for consultation.  Council in February 2011 would be considering all the evidence in the Core Strategy document.

Responding to question 2 the Cabinet Member (Environment and Strategic Housing) stated there was no connection with the new cattle market or housing development referred to by the questioner.  Correspondence relating to the purchase of land for the new cattle market could be requested through the Freedom of Information process.

Responding to question 3 the Cabinet Member (Environment and Strategic Housing) commented that many working age people were leaving the county for employment reasons.  Herefordshire had to attract employment opportunities offering decent levels of pay and promote other amenities and facilities to encourage people to stay in the County.  Some people may be effected by the proposals, however, the Council had to look at the bigger picture and work for the good of the County.

The Planning Policy Manager presented his report which set out the history to the item; the consultations undertaken; indicated the scope of further work to be undertaken and the intention to report a recommended Core Strategy (the central strategy document of the LDF) to Council for consideration on 4February 2011.

Questioned on sustainable transport measures he responded that these had been included in the consideration process and would be part of the consideration by Cabinet and Council.

While the Regional Spatial Strategy had been revoked by government it contained a substantial evidence base that had been tested in public and found to be sound and therefore work continued to be supported by that evidence.

Asked how the new ‘Localism Bill’ would effect the Plan, the Assistant Director Environment, Planning and Waste, responded that the detail of the bill was awaited, however, the ‘Bill’ wouldn’t negate the need for the work being undertaken.  He also commented that evidence continued to be gathered and updated to ensure that the resultant Plan, when submitted to the Secretary of State as part of the process, could be shown to be sound.

Responding to how soon the Plan could be reviewed the Assistant Director Environment, Planning and Waste, responded that the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) was part of the LDF and therefore could only be changed by Council. Therefore a future administration could decide to make changes.

The Committee requested a time table setting out the key actions/dates for getting the Core Strategy to Council.

RESOLVED: that the Committee noted the position set out in the report and information given at the meeting.