Agenda item

RECOMMENDED:      1)       That the Infrastructure Delivery Plan(IDP) document and the levels of costs outlined within it are used to prepare a suitable S106 agreement to accompany planning approvals for development sites on the Growth Area.

2)       Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader to agree the form of planning application and associated documents and submit them.

3)       Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader to sign off Option 3 if the Business Rates Pool bid is successful, or the use of alternative funding options if necessary, and the appropriate amendments to the Capital Programme are made.

4)       Authority is delegated to the Property Services Manager in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder to acquire land within the growth area should the situation arise.

5)       That officers seek to establish a South East King’s Lynn Delivery Group (comprised the Borough Council, Norfolk County Council, landowners/developers and parish councils) to co-ordinate the preparation and submission of a masterplan; outline planning application for the whole area (excluding Hopkins Homes area) and the associated processes.

Reason for Decision

To aid the co-ordinated development of the Strategic Growth Area.

The Planning Policy Manager presented a report which explained that the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) had taken the requirements of the Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan, for the strategic growth area at West Winch / North Runcton, and assessed the financial cost of these.  The viability of the overall potential housing scheme was considered. It concluded that a viable scheme meeting the requirements could come forward. The IDP would be used as a basis for a S106 agreement to accompany planning applications for the area.

The IDP, as presented, had taken into consideration the comments and views of the various stakeholders. To give it appropriate status it was brought to Cabinet for consideration and endorsement by the Borough Council.

Beyond the IDP it was important that the Borough Council continued to use all available mechanisms to bring forward development on the site. The co-ordination of and submission of a planning application was proposed.

The Council’s consultant James Brierley from Geraldeve, gave Cabinet some further explanations around the reasoning behind the approach:

•        It would add the next level of granularity to proposed IPD;

•        Allow for further engagement with all Stakeholders;

•        Provide catalyst  for holistic delivery;

•        Create framework for physical delivery;

•        Provide additional clarity

•        Support all Stakeholders in delivery, minimising dead ends;

•        Reduce duplication and support Stakeholders in commercial objectives

Cabinet debated the proposals and it was confirmed that if the major developer did not participate then it would put the whole site at risk of non delivery but there were potential compulsory purchase order routes if necessary.

Councillor Blunt explained that he wanted to work with all parties, drawing attention to the fact that some of the landowners needed support through the process, so it was to help them to help the council to deliver the major piece of work.  It was confirmed that the Local Plan inspector was keen to look at the site from a holistic point of view as a community, not just houses.  Councillor Blunt proposed an additional recommendation as follows which was agreed:

5)       That officers seek to establish a South East King’s Lynn Delivery Group (comprised the Borough Council, Norfolk County Council, landowners/developers and parish councils) to co-ordinate the preparation and submission of a masterplan; outline planning application for the whole area (excluding Hopkins Homes area) and the associated processes.

It was explained that the Hopkins Homes planning application was now being considered in accordance with the local plan policy.

The Regeneration and Development Panel had considered the item and supported the recommendations.

RECOMMENDED:      1)       That the Infrastructure Delivery Plan(IDP) document and the levels of costs outlined within it are used to prepare a suitable S106 agreement to accompany planning approvals for development sites on the Growth Area.

2)       Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader to agree the form of planning application and associated documents and submit them.

3)       Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader to sign off Option 3 if the Business Rates Pool bid is successful, or the use of alternative funding options if necessary, and the appropriate amendments to the Capital Programme are made.

4)       Authority is delegated to the Property Services Manager in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder to acquire land within the growth area should the situation arise.

5)       That officers seek to establish a South East King’s Lynn Delivery Group (comprised the Borough Council, Norfolk County Council, landowners/developers and parish councils) to co-ordinate the preparation and submission of a masterplan; outline planning application for the whole area (excluding Hopkins Homes area) and the associated processes.

Reason for Decision

To aid the co-ordinated development of the Strategic Growth Area