Agenda item - Site Allocations Local Plan (SALP): Planning Inspector’s Report and Adoption (Report No: COU/WS/19/008)

Agenda item

Site Allocations Local Plan (SALP): Planning Inspector’s Report and Adoption (Report No: COU/WS/19/008)

Report No: COU/WS/19/008

 

(**Note: Due to their size, the appendices to this covering report will be circulated as a separate supplement to the agenda papers**)

Minutes:

(Councillor Sarah Broughton declared a non pecuniary interest in this item as she was a personal acquaintance of the owner of land at Hatchfield Farm, Newmarket and remained in the meeting for the consideration of the item.)

 

Council considered this report which sought approval for the adoption of the Site Allocations Local Plan, including both the main and additional modifications.

 

The preparation of the Forest Heath Site Allocations Local Plan (SALP) had now reached the end of the plan making process.  The Inspector’s Report had now been received and, subject to incorporating the associated Main Modifications identified by the Inspector, they had concluded that the Local Plan was sound.

 

The following documents were also attached to this report:

 

·         Appendix A set out the Inspector’s Report which found the Local Plan sound and considered it an appropriate basis for the planning for the area formally known as Forest Heath.

 

·         Appendix B set out the additional modifications suggested by Officers to the SALP document.

 

·         Appendix C set out the final version of the SALP, along with a Policies Map Book showing the allocations (Appendix D).  These documents included all of the main modifications required by the Planning Inspector and the additional modifications suggested by Officers.

 

·         As a result of the modifications, the Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) and the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) documents had also been updated.

 

The Forest Heath Site Allocations Local Plan contained the site specific housing, employment and other allocations to meet the requirements of the Core Strategy.  This Plan would complete the suite of Local Plan documents for the former Forest Heath area and for West Suffolk.  The Inspector had dealt with concerns arising from the horseracing industry, noise and environmental constraints and had concluded finding the document sound and an appropriate basis for planning in the area formally known as Forest Heath.  The Inspector’s report was very supportive of the work that the Council had done and praised the Authority, including on the extensive consultation that was carried out.  This was a huge achievement for the Council in order for development to be delivered in a planned way.

 

Councillor John Griffiths, Leader of the Council, drew relevant issues to the attention of Council, including reiterating the issues raised during consideration of Report No: COU/WS/19/007.

 

The majority of Members recognised the need for adopting the Site Allocations Local Plan and Map Book, which together with the Single Issue Review of Core Strategy Policy CS7 (Report No: COU/WS/19/007), had been found sound by the Planning Inspector. Members of the former Forest Heath area and the team of officers involved with the process were commended for their significant amount of work in reaching this point.  Emphasis was then placed by some on urging Members to trust the Examination process. This had involved consideration of extensive evidence presented to the Inspector which had culminated in his decision in finding the Plan sound.  

 

Members also considered that by adopting the Local Plan, it could successfully work with Suffolk Highways, developers and other partners to enable appropriate infrastructure to be delivered ahead of any planned housing, in a considered and timely manner. 

 

Challenges that may lie ahead regarding potential growth in specific locations could be addressed and positive solutions achieved by working collectively with other agencies, partners and the private sector.

 

On the motion of Councillor Griffiths, seconded by Councillor Robin Millar, it was put to the vote and with the vote being 43 for the motion, three against and four abstentions, it was

 

RESOLVED:

 

That:

 

(1)     the content of the Inspector’s report to the Site Allocations Local Plan containing Main Modifications (Appendix A to Report No: COU/WS/19/008), be noted;

 

(2)     the schedule of Additional Modifications (Appendix B to Report No: COU/WS/19/008) to the Site Allocations Local Plan to make minor updates and corrections, be noted;

 

(3)     the following documents attached to Report No: COU/WS/19/008, be adopted:

 

·         The Site Allocations Local Plan including both main and additional modifications (Appendix C)

·         Policies Map (Appendix D); and

 

(4)     the Service Manager (Strategic Planning) be authorised, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make minor typographical amendments or updates in preparing the final version of the Plan.

Supporting documents:

 

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