Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs S Buck and Mrs E Watson.

The notes of the meeting held on 9 January 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an 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 Members 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposes to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was no urgent business.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and on 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.

Councillor J Moriarty was present under Standing Order 34.

There was no Chairman’s correspondence.

The Principal Planner (Policy) provided a demonstration of the Local Plan published on the website that would be considered by Cabinet on 5 February 2019.

The Task Group commented and proposed amendments to the Local Plan Review document which would go out to consultation.  The Planning Policy Team noted the amendments which would be made to the document before it went out to consultation.

It was noted that an email would be sent out to all Parish Clerks informing them of the consultation process.

The Task Group was advised that at the next meeting on the 6 February 2019, discussions would be held regarding the consultation process and events to be held in the south, north and central regions of the Borough, to inform the public of the consultation exercise.

A discussion took place on the phrase “at least” remaining in the consultation document.  The Planning Policy Manager undertook to draft amended wording and circulate to the Task Group for agreement to be presented at Cabinet on 5 February 2019.

The Chairman, Councillor Blunt thanked the Task Group and officers for the work undertaken to be able to take the review document to consultation.

AGREED:  The Local Plan Task Group supported the recommendation to Cabinet as set out in the Cabinet report with the addition of the amended wording set out below:

New text at the end of paragraph 4.1.16:

All the allocation policies include the words ‘at least’ before the proposed number of dwellings.  This reflects the need for the Local Plan to be positively prepared.

Should it be found that an allocated site could not accommodate the proposed level of development because of local issues, it is important that the Local Plan incorporates sufficient flexibility to address such a situation.  To this end it is important to ensure that the wording of each allocation policy incorporates sufficient flexibility.

It is also important that the best use of land is achieved but that this should not be at the expense of other considerations such as the provision of open space, and local amenity considerations. If a proposal came forward for a planning application in excess of the specified figure, it would have to demonstrate carefully how it meets design, amenity and other safeguards (with explicit reference to relevant policies, including; LP16, LP17, LP18 and LP19) and clearly state how the additional units could be accommodated without detriment to the locality.

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on Wednesday 6 February 2019 at 11.00 am in Meeting Room 2-4, Second Floor, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Task Group will be held on Wednesday 6 February 2019 at 11.00 am in Meeting Room 2-4, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn.