Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J Moriarty.

To agree the notes of the previous meeting held on 13 July 2016.

The notes of the previous meeting held on 13 July 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising.

None.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and what items they wish to be heard before the meeting commences.  Any Member attending the meeting under Standing Order 34 will only be permitted to speak on those items which have been previously notified to the Chairman.

There were no Members present under Standing Order 34.

The LDF Manager provided a verbal update and explained that the Inspector’s Report had been sent to the Planning Inspectorate approximately 10 days ago.  The Inspector would be allowed a 3 week period to carry out a legal sense check.

The report would then be forwarded to the Borough Council to allow a fact check to be undertaken within a 2 week period.

The Inspector’s Report would be considered at Cabinet on 7 September 2016

AGREED:  That the update report be noted.

a)            Further Consideration of Vision and Objectives

In presenting the report, the Graduate Planner reminded the Members that as part of the Local Plan review process the Vision and Objectives from the Core Strategy (2011) were presented to the LDF Task Group at a previous meeting.  A detailed discussed took place as to amendments that could potentially be made going forward.  Key themes emerged from this discussion which were debated and put forward to be included within a revised Vision and set of objectives.

The Task Group’s attention was drawn to the following sections of the report:

·         The emerging thoughts which covered the themes discussed.

·         Additional those which rose from discussions relating to the potential strategic options for the Borough.

·         Vision for King’s Lynn and West Norfolk to 20136, and a set of objections based upon the themes which had emerged from previous discussions.

The Graduate Planner explained that text to be removed appeared with a strikethrough and any next text was underlined.  This enabled the potential changes to be read in the context of those existing.  For ease of comparison the numbering presented remained unchanged from that within the Core Strategy.

Following comments on ensuring that the appropriate infrastructure was in place to support the Borough Council’s level of growth, the LDF Manager suggested that the text be amended to read:  improve strategic connections.

AGREED: The text within the document be amended as set out below:

·         Section relating to infrastructure be amended to read improve strategic connections.

b)            Further Consideration of Strategic Options for Growth

The Task Group was reminded that an earlier discussion paper was presented to Members at the last meeting which explored the level of growth required over the Local Plan Review period (2016-2036).  It highlighted that in the region of 4,000 dwellings would need to be identified through the allocation process.  Five potential strategic growth options could be accommodated across the Borough were presented and subjected to a Sustainability Appraisal, against the Borough’s twenty Sustainability Objections.  The Task Group that Option 2 Spread was the most sustainable option, but that a degree of development should be afforded to Hunstanton to support its role within the Borough, that Watlington should be afforded a higher allocation number than a Key Rural Service Centre (KRSC) recognising the presence of the train station and potential increases in rail services, that Marham should receive a higher allocation that a KRSC taking into account the presence and expansion of RAF Marham.

The Graduate Planner explained that the paper focused upon a variation of Option 2 Spread, titled 2A Hybrid Spread of Development.  The strategic growth option was presented, subjected to the sustainability appraisal alongside the original five options that were considered.

The LDF Manager explained that following the comments from the previous Task Group meeting, a corridor had been created from King’s Lynn to Watlington/Downham Market where potentially the most growth could occur and suggested that the strategy be titled “Growth Corridor”

The Task Group highlighted the importance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Graduate Planner explained that the 2016/2016 Housing Trajectory and 5 Year Housing Land Supply Position was published on the Borough Council’s website and had been updated to take account of the Inspector’s appeal decision regarding the Public Inquiry relating to a site in Heacham.

The Chairman, Councillor Blunt invited the Task Group to ask questions/comment.  There were questions or comments from the Task Group.

AGREED: The link to the report be included on the next Agenda of the Regeneration and Development Panel for information only.

The LDF Manager provided an overview of the Policy Team Work Programme as circulated with the Agenda which was noted by the Task Group.

The Principal Planner (Policy) outlined the changes within the LDF Team.

AGREED:  A staff structure chart with photographs for the LDF Team and Planning Control be circulated to the task Group.

The LDF Manager explained that from time to time the Borough Council was consulted by neighbouring Local Planning Authorities and those that shared strategic issues, and invited to make representations/comments on their Local Plans and policy documents that they were formulating.

The Task Group discussed the Borough Council’s response.

AGREED:  The Borough Council’s response set out below be submitted to South East Lincs Local Plan consultation:

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments relating to the above consultation.  The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk shares an administrative boundary with South Lincolnshire District Council, hence welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the development of the District.  The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk raises no objections to the documents, and requests that due consideration is given to cross-border impacts on west Norfolk (if any) at the planning application stage.

The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk believes that the level of co-operation has been proportionate to the significant of the cross-border issues, and has met the requirements of the Duty to Co-operate.

To note that the next scheduled meeting of the LDF Task Group will be held on Wednesday 14 September 2016 at 10.00am in the Committee Suite, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the LDF Task Group will be held on Wednesday 14 September 2016 at 10.00 am in the Committee Suite, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn.