Agenda item

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Mark Ashwell, Planning Policy Manager, 01263 516325, mark.ashwell@north-norfolk.gov.uk

The PPM introduced the report and informed Members that they were required to agree the final wording of the Policy for each site allocation within the Plan. He added that the Plan would contain two sets of policies, one relating to general development management policies and the second relating specifically to site allocations. It was noted that various additions had been made to the site allocation policies specific to each site, with some minor changes expected to the North Walsham allocations as discussed. The PPM noted that a letter had been received which raised concerns on the possibility of a ‘rat run’ being created, as a result of the Cromer site allocation. He added that the site had been specifically designed to avoid creating a potential ‘rat run’ on the Roughton Road, and the Highways Authority had also insisted that access not be provided at this point to avoid this.

Questions and Discussion

       i.          Cllr N Dixon raised concerns regarding long-term maintenance and asked whether alternate options would be considered besides Council adoption, such as by developers or residents. The PPM replied that this would apply to site specific policies and the Open Space and Habitat Policy, which would only require the approval of a maintenance scheme that would not necessarily mean adoption by the Council, allowing greater flexibility. Cllr N Dixon asked a follow-up question on when maintenance schemes would be agreed during the development process. The PPM replied that it could be post-approval as a planning condition, or as an obligation as part of a S106 agreement. Cllr N Dixon reiterated his concerns and suggested that these arrangements ought to be in place in advance on any planning consent. The PPM replied that he would review the Policy to ensure that obligations were met and confirm this at a subsequent meeting.

      ii.          Cllr P Heinrich referred to the North Walsham Norwich Road site, and stated that a correction was required on the number of businesses. He added that the six meter landscape buffer had also generated concerns and suggested that it should be included as part of the major landscaping, and given that an application was likely it should be clear what was required. Th PPM replied that he was aware of a potential development proposal for the site, which had been amended to address the concerns raised. He added that he would seek to ensure that the points raised were clear within the Policy. Cllr P Heinrich sought assurance that the minimum 15% affordable housing target was also made clear in the Policy.

     iii.          Cllr J Toye stated that he endorsed comments made on ensuring that proper maintenance plans were in place for green open spaces. He added that in regards to the Cromer site allocation, policies were in place to address the concerns raised, in addition to the Highway Authority’s own mitigation measures.

    iv.          Cllr P Fisher sought clarification on whether the Holkham Road Wells site was allocated sixty dwellings or fifty, as stated in the report. The PPM replied that when reviewing the Policy, the numbers were reduced slightly to ensure the site was deliverable, and the final number of dwellings on all sites would be determined as part of the planning application process.

      v.          Cllr V Holliday sought clarification on whether the Blakeney affordable housing targets would be 15% or higher, to which the PPM replied that a review had been commissioned and the expected target would be approximately 35%.

    vi.          Cllr T Adams asked in Cllr N Pearce’s absence, whether a specific policy would be required for access onto the B1436 site, or whether this had been considered. The PPM replied that given the potential scale of development, it would be a minimum requirement for any developer to undertake a full traffic impact assessment. He added that he could also include additional wording within the Policy, for offsite highways impacts to be addressed.

   vii.          Cllr J Toye referred to affordable housing targets and stated that unfortunately larger developments often resulted in a reduced number of affordable homes, therefore consideration had to be given to finding other means of funding.

  viii.          The recommendations were proposed by Cllr P Grove-Jones and seconded by Cllr P Heinrich.

RESOLVED

1.     That Working Party agree the revised Site Allocation Policies for Regulation 19 Public Consultation.

2.     To delegate minor amendments in the finalisation of the proposed submission version of the Plan to the Planning Policy Manager and Team Leader.