Meeting documents

Venue: Rooms 8 & 9, Capswood, Oxford Road, Denham

Contact: Democratic Services 

Items
No. Item

After waiting 15 minutes following the meeting start time, the meeting of the Planning & Economic Development PAG remained inquorate. As none of the items on the agenda required a decision to be made by the Portfolio Holder, those Members present agreed to discuss the reports on an informal basis only. Reports requiring a decision would be considered by Cabinet on 17 April 2018.

 

93.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 79 KB

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2018.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2018 were received.

 

94.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

95.

Reports from Members

Minutes:

None.

96.

Current Issues

Minutes:

The Head of Planning and Economic Development informed Members that a meeting would be taking place on week commencing 9 April with the Barrister leading the Council’s Local Plan submission. The Group felt that this was a positive step and stressed the importance of progressing the Local Plan as quickly as possible.

 

97.

Local Enforcement Plan pdf icon PDF 52 KB

Minutes:

A report was considered which sought approval from Cabinet to introduce a Local Enforcement Plan for the District. Members were advised that the proposed Plan aimed to set out clear priorities for enforcement and clear phases and timescales for investigations to promote greater consistency in the service provided. Adopting a Local Enforcement Plan would also ensure that the Council is compliant with national guidance set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

It was noted that the proposed Plan would represent a shift towards a more proactive enforcement policy for the District, which would address concerns raised by Members regarding delays in the enforcement process. The Plan set out four priority levels, which would allow the Council to prioritise investigations according to the severity of the breach of planning control. Members felt the priority levels should be included as a separate appendix, so that they could be updated when necessary without the need to update the entire Plan. It was proposed that Temporary Stop Notices be used as a tool to control sites where breaches have taken place and give the Council the opportunity to consider whether further action should be taken.

 

Members noted the 8 Investigation Phases set out in the Plan, together with the associated timescales and performance standards which would be set against each phase. In reference to Phase 6, Members felt that compliance site visits should be conducted sooner after the end of the compliance period. It was advised that successful prosecutions carried out under the Proceeds of Crime Act identified in Phase 7 could lead to significant financial penalties for offenders, and would send out a strong message regarding the Council’s strict enforcement policy.

 

A concern was raised regarding the lack of enforcement action taken against breaches of planning conditions in the District. Members were informed that the proposed Local Enforcement Plan would simplify and streamline the enforcement process whilst giving officers more tools to tackle breaches. It was advised that an integrated software system which could be accessed by the Planning, Building Control and Enforcement teams was being developed and it was hoped that this would contribute to a more efficient enforcement process.

 

98.

Heathrow Airport Expansion Consultation pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Minutes:

A report was received which detailed the Council’s response to Heathrow Airport’s Expansion Consultation. The response included concerns over increased HGV traffic around borrow pit sites, locations of flood storage sites, noise and air quality. Of particular concern was the cumulative impact from the various projects proposed in the Iver area.

 

Members noted a number of transport issues identified as part of ongoing discussions including sustainable transport options, rail and bus routes, access roads and car parking. It was advised that the Council would not encourage the location of freight facilities within the District due to the associated increase in HGV traffic.

 

Members were informed that the Council would support the longer night flight ban in the upcoming airspace principles consultations; however concerns would be raised over flight path options over rural areas.

 

Note: Councillors P Hogan and W Matthews left the meeting at 7.28pm.

 

99.

HS2 Work and Resourcing Report

Minutes:

A report was presented which updated Members on the work of the HS2 project and the resources required. The report also included an update on the work of the Colne Valley Regional Park Panel, including the programme to deliver additional projects approved by the Panel

 

It was noted that a concept plan had been produced by the London Borough of Hillingdon for the Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre and an application for temporary planning permission would be submitted in due course to move the project to Denham Quarry. Members were also informed that the Department of Transport had made a decision that the relocation of the Heathrow Express depot would now not be going ahead. Further information would be sought to ascertain what the wider implications of the decision would be, as there was uncertainty over how this would affect related projects.

 

It was advised that the Service Level Agreement and Funding Agreement had now been signed which would provide upfront funding for the costs of the HS2 Team.

 

100.

Exemplary Planning Service Action Plan pdf icon PDF 57 KB

Minutes:

A report was presented which set out the key principles for the delivery of an exemplary Planning Service and an Action Plan for doing so. It was noted that an update would be included in the Cabinet report setting out the short term actions which had been completed to date. Members felt that the officer initials should be replaced with officer post titles to ensure consistency.  It was requested that a refreshed report be brought to the PAG in the autumn to assess how the changes had been implemented.