Meeting documents

WDC Planning Enviroment & Transport Committee
Monday, 19th October, 1998

Planning Enviroment & Transport Committee, Minutes 19 oct 1998

PLANNING ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

 

 

     Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on

 

 

     19 October 1998

 

 

     PRESENT

 

     Cllr R J Nagle (in the Chair)

 

Cllr J M Blanksby

Cllr D E Done

Cllr Mrs K M Draper

Cllr A A Dunford

Cllr A Dunn

Cllr Mrs J E Gabbitas*

Cllr S H Graham

Cllr Mrs A E Hardy

 

Cllr M D Huddy

Cllr Mrs E M Lay*

Cllr Mrs V A Letheren

Cllr Mrs C C Martens

Cllr C B Oliver

Cllr Mrs K M Peatey MBE JP

Cllr R C Pushman*

 

Cllr Mrs F W Alexander, Cllr Mrs L M Clarke, Cllr D J Coe, Cllr A Collingwood, Cllr A Gielgud, Cllr Mrs E Hall, Cllr Mrs P I O=Rourke and Cllr B R Pollock attended the meeting in their capacity as Local Members.

 

(Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs P J Moore, D A C Shakespeare and Mrs J E Teesdale).

 

* Standing Deputies

 

 

1.

WYCOMBE DISTRICT LOCAL PLAN TO 2011 - APPROVAL OF DEPOSIT DRAFT - PART 4

 

The Committee received a detailed report on the remaining elements of the Deposit Draft of the Wycombe District Local Plan.  The report sought approval to the Introduction, the Proposals Map, and the Sustainability Appraisal that had been carried out for the Plan, together with outstanding Policies T3 and T4 and the associated Appendices 13 and 14 which related to new Parking Standards and Accessibility Zones for the District.

 

Approval was also sought in respect of Policy RT12 - Bourne End Marina.

 

(a)

Introduction

 

The Introduction covered information on the District and its development pressures, the purpose of the Deposit Local Plan and the reasons for producing a new Plan.  It also covered the issues of sustainable development, broad development strategy, the preparation procedure for the Deposit Local Plan, implementation, monitoring and review.

 

(b)

Proposals Map

 

Members discussed and approved the Proposals Map for inclusion in the Deposit Wycombe District Local Plan which had been displayed in the Council Chamber during the day for Members to view.

 

(c)

Policies T3 and T4 and Appendices 13 and 14 of the Transport Chapter

 

The Committee considered the new Policies T3 and T4 together with Appendices 13 and 14 which related to Accessibility Zones and Parking Standards respectively.  Whilst being in general agreement with the Policies and Appendices in this section Members felt that a clear definition of Accessibility Zones should be incorporated under the section on definitions in Appendix 14.

 

Concerns were raised with regard to the terminology in the section of Appendix 14 on Residential Parking Standards and clarification in the standards was requested in respect of references to elderly persons= (sheltered) accommodation and elderly persons= homes.

 

A Member raised the issue of visitor parking at schools which she considered to be inadequate, particularly so for smaller schools who received visits from a range of people including peripatetic teachers and governors and it was agreed that the standards should allow for a little more flexibility for smaller schools.

 

It was noted that the scheme for developer contributions to the Wycombe Transport Strategy would be considered by the Wycombe District Council/Buckinghamshire County Council Joint Transportation Strategy Panel.

 

(d)

Policy RT12 Recreation and Tourism

 

Members considered the policy in relation to Bourne End Marina which had been drawn up in conjunction with the Draft Development Brief that was due to be considered at the meeting of the Planning, Environment and Transportation Panel.

 

Whilst generally supporting the policy Members proposed amendments to the uppercase text to allow for the enhancement of the site.  The reference to the use of the site for B1, B2 and B8 purposes was deleted and new wording inserted that unless wholly and directly related to the operation of the Marina facility a use other than this would be unacceptable.

 

(e)

Sustainability Appraisal

 

The Committee discussed the Sustainability Appraisal and Members were reminded that the appraisal complied with the Committee=s resolution from its meeting in September 1996 that the preparation of the Deposit Local Plan should be undertaken in conjunction with full and extensive sustainability testing.

 

(f)

Extensions to Dwellings in the Green Belt

 

Members discussed Policies GB5 and GB6 in respect of the 50% rule in the Green Belt and it was agreed that the issue would be reviewed after the close of the deposit period.  

 

A Member raised his continued concern with regard to policies towards extensions and new build in settlements washed over by the Green Belt.  The Chairman advised Members that following advice from officers the Briefing Group had considered that the issue be dealt with as if there were a representation to the Deposit Plan and reminded Members that they were still able to progress individual representations through the Deposit Plan process.

 

 

(g)

Amendments to Policies of previously approved Deposit Local Plan Chapters

 

(i)  Chapter 2: General Development Chapter

 

Since the General Development Chapter had been approved by the Committee a number of amendments had occurred in respect of numbering and cross-referencing.

 

Additional changes included:

 

!

Policy G11 Hedgerows - Where additional text had been added.

 

!

Policy G7 Telecommunications - Where the upper case text had been amended with regard to telecommunication and an additional minor wording change was proposed by the Committee.

 

(ii)     Chapter 3: Housing

 

!

Policy H8 had been amended to ensure the protection of existing residential accommodation and land.

 

!

Changes were also proposed to Policy H25 in respect of Lock Island.

 

(iii)

Chapter 4: Employment

 

Policy E2 had been amended in respect of Abbey Barn South to clarify the extent of business park development.

 

Assessments had been undertaken with regard to the use of Wests Yard, Saunderton and Binders Yard, Hughenden to establish whether or not these sites should be classified as badly sited users.  The results of the investigations had however not concluded that the two sites should be included as badly sited users.

 

(iv)

Chapter 5: Retailing

 

This part of the report gave clarification to the Committee in respect of the retail policy and its operation.

 

Minor amendments relating to the presentation and explanation of  the Retail Floorspace Projections Table were also proposed.

 

(v)

Chapter 6: Town Centres

 

Details of the changes in respect of the three town centres were reported for the Committee=s consideration including revision to the policy in respect of Lily=s Walk/Rutland Street/Suffield Road (former Gas Works Site).

 

(vi)

Chapter 11: Heritage

 

Proposed changes to Policy HE1 were reported for the Committee=s consideration.

 

(vii)

Chapter 12: Recreation and Tourism

 

Proposed changes to Policies RT5 and RT13 were reported.

 

(viii)

Chapter 13: Community Facilities

 

Proposed changes to Policy CF9 were reported.

 

(ix)

Chapter 14: Appendices

 

It was reported that since Appendices 1-9 and 12-15 had been discussed by the Committee at its earlier meetings, some appendices had been slightly modified in terms of their content.  These changes had been undertaken in consultation with the Committee Briefing Group.

 

(x)

Appendix 2: Development Principles

 

The Committee discussed minor amendments to the  strategic housing site boundaries at Great Marlow School and the Portlands site, together with minor wording amendments to the Development Principles on Great Marlow School.

 

With regard to Great Marlow School, the Sports Council requirements and the NPFA Open Space Standards were clarified.

 

RESOLVED:  (i) That the introduction for inclusion in the Deposit Wycombe District Plan to 2011 be approved;

 

(ii)

that the Proposals Map for inclusion in the Deposit Wycombe District Local Plan to 2011 be approved;  (Cllr Mrs A E Hardy requested that her name be recorded as abstaining from the vote on this matter);

 

(iii)

that subject to the inclusion of a definition of Accessibility Zones in Appendix 14, further consideration of the issue of visitor parking standards for smaller schools and clarification of the issues of parking standards for all kinds of elderly persons= dwellings (authority to approve the final wording delegated to the Director of Planning, Transport and Development in conjunction with the Committee Briefing Group) Policies T3 and T4 together with Appendices 13 and 14 of the Transport Chapter together with amendments to parking standards as submitted be approved for inclusion in the Deposit Wycombe District Local Plan to 2011;

(Cllrs C B Oliver and Mrs K M Peatey MBE JP requested that their names be recorded as voting against this resolution);

 

(iv)

Policy RT12 of the Recreation and Tourism Chapter be approved for inclusion in the Deposit Wycombe District Local Plan to 2011 subject to the amendment of the upper case text as follows:-

 

ABOURNE END MARINA, AS DEFINED ON THE PROPOSALS MAP, IS DESIGNATED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE MIXED USE REDEVELOPMENT.  ANY SCHEME MUST ENHANCE AND IMPROVE THE SITE=S  EXISTING RECREATION AND LEISURE FUNCTION.  IF THE MIX OF USES INCLUDES RESIDENTIAL THIS SHOULD BE LOCATED TO THE WEST OF THE ABBOTSBROOK UNLESS IT IS WHOLLY AND DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF THE LOCAL MARINA FACILITY, THE USE OF THIS SITE FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN THAT AS SET OUT IN THIS  POLICY IS UNACCEPTABLE@;

 

(v)

The Sustainability Appraisal of the Deposit Wycombe District Local Plan to 2011 be approved; (Cllr Mrs K M Peatey MBE JP requested that her name be recorded as voting against the resolution due to her concerns relating to Abbey Barn South);

 

(vi)

In view of Members= concerns in respect of Policies GB5 and GB6 with regard to the 50% rule these policies be reviewed as part of the Council=s consideration of the Plan after close of the Deposit period irrespective of whether formal objections were received during the Deposit period;

 

(vii)

The wording changes proposed in respect of the upper case policies in Appendix 2 be approved in order to clarify their operation subject to (iv) above and the amendments to Policy G27 to read:-

 

AWHEN APPROVING NEW MASTS, THE DISTRICT COUNCIL WILL REQUIRE THESE MASTS TO BE REMOVED WHEN THEY ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR TELECOMMUNICATION PURPOSES@;

 

(viii)

The Director of Planning, Transport and Development be authorised, after consultation with the Briefing Group to correct  minor changes during the compiling and final proof reading of the Deposit Wycombe District Local Plan to 2011; and

 

(ix)

The Wycombe District Local Plan to 2011 - Deposit December 1998 be placed >on Deposit= for public consultation between 4 December 1998 and 29 January 1999.

 

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

 

RESOLVED: That pursuant to S100(A)(iv) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Minute No 34 because of its reference to matters which contain exempt information as defined in paragraph 7 (Financial or Business Affairs) of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the aforementioned Act as set out on the urgent exempt item circulated to the Committee.

 

2.     ERCOL FURNITURE LIMITED

 

The Committee was advised that Officers were working closely with Ercol Furniture Limited to identify a suitable site for their relocation within the District.  A number of sites had been examined and Members supported continued discussions on this issue.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

 

(The meeting commenced at 6.30pm and concluded at 9.25pm).

 

 

 

 

     ___________

     CHAIRMAN

 

 

The following officers were in attendance at the meeting:-

 

Mr C A Swanwick      -     Director of Planning, Transport and Development

Mr M J Barrett          -     Assistant District Solicitor

Mr J Callaghan          -     Transport Officer

Mrs J N F Child          -     Principal Administrator, Committee Services

Ms C Jones          -     Planning Officer (Policy)

Mr R Marshall          -     Divisional Environmental Health Officer

Ms V Powers          -     Senior Planning Officer (Policy)

Ms L Taylor          -     Planning Officer (Policy)

Mr J Smith               -     Assistant Divisional Environmental Health Officer

Mr D Turner          -     Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development

Mr J Unsworth          -     Planning and Transport Projects Manager

Mr G Zanré          -     Acting Team Leader, Planning Policy Unit

Halcrow Fox          -     Mr G Carson and Dr M Dicks

Buckinghamshire

County Council          -     Mr R Slevin Transport Officer