Meeting documents

The minutes of the meetings held on 6 June, 25 June and 5 September 2013 were received.

The PAG considered a report seeking approval for the draft revenue budget and fees and charges schedule for 2014/15 for the Sustainable Development Portfolio.

Following comments made by the PAG on the savings options set out in Appendix B in Part II the Portfolio Holder indicated his intention to reflect on the issues raised prior to submitting revenue budget and fees and charges for 2014/15 to the Cabinet.

The PAG was asked to comment on the Wilton Park Development Brief Draft Supplementary Planning Document prior to the Portfolio Holder approving the Document as a basis for formal public consultation in early 2014.

The report explained that Core Policy 14 of the South Bucks Core Strategy requires a Development Brief to be prepared for the Wilton Park Opportunity Site by the landowners / developers in conjunction with the Council, prior to a planning application being submitted. The draft Development Brief will be adopted as a SPD. In November 2012, South Bucks District Council (and Buckinghamshire County Council) entered into a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) with Inland Homes plc in connection with the preparation of a Development Brief for Wilton Park.

The report went on to refer to the purpose, scope and status of the Development Brief and to the following documents which the Council had prepared alongside the draft SPD:

·         Public Consultation Statement;

·         Sustainability Appraisal Report;

·         Habitats Regulation Assessment Screening Report; and

·         Equalities Impact Assessment Screening Report.

After summarising the findings and conclusions of these documents the report identified the development and design principles that had been established following stakeholder engagement and public consultation to ensure that exemplary and imaginative proposals were put forward to deliver a redevelopment scheme of an exceptional standard. The new development would need to take into consideration a number of issues:

·         land uses;

·         Impact on Green Belt;

·         open spaces;

·         vehicle access;

·         cycle and pedestrian access;

·         bus access; and

·         infrastructure

The exact timing of the public consultation would be very carefully considered.  Following a question the Portfolio Holder sought clarification on whether the 250-350 homes expected included Service Family Accommodation already provided on the site.

Having considered the comments of the PAG, which supported the draft SPD as a basis for consultation,  the Portfolio Holder has AGREED in accordance with the procedure set out in the Local Development Scheme 2013 - 16 that, subject to clarification that the range of 250-350 homes includes any Service Family Accommodation retained for non-Ministry of Defence use, the Wilton Park Development Brief Draft Supplementary Planning Document be approved as a basis for formal public consultation in early 2014.