Agenda item

The Planner provided an overview of the Settlement Hierarchy suggested Preferred Option document as circulated with the Agenda and drew the Task Group’s attention to the changes as set out below:

Key Rural Service Centres

o        Three Holes has been added to the KRSC of Upwell and Outwell.

o        West Walton is now a KRSC on its own, Walton Highway is now a Rural Village.

o        Castle Acre and East Rudham remain KRSC’s.

o        Walpole St. Peter / Walpole St. Andrew / Walpole Marsh has been promoted

o        As have Marshland St. James / St. John’s Fen End with Tinley Fen End

o        And Middleton and Southery.

Rural Villages

o        Denver, Wiggenhall St. Germans, Walpole Highway, Hilgay, Syderstone, Great Bircham/Bircham Tofts, Burnham Overy Staithe and Hillington all remain RV’s.

o        Walton Highway is now a Rural Village (member decision)

o        Stow Bridge is promoted to this category.

Concern was expressed regarding Three Holes being linked to Upwell/Outwell as Three Holes was predominately in Flood Zone 3 and would therefore fail the sequential test because there were other areas which were safer to build on.  The Planner explained that Three Holes was a smaller settlement and the development boundary was around the norther end of the village, with the remainder being in a flood zone.  The Task Group was advised that two sites have been submitted in the recent call for sites exercise.  Members were informed that Three Holes was not totally in Flood Zone 3, some parts of Three Holes were in Flood Zones 1 and 3.  The Chairman, Councillor Blunt added that the potential sites were not within Flood Zone 3.

Following a discussion on the Local Development Scheme (LDS), the Principal Planner (Policy) explained that the LDS would be brought back to the Task Group with a revised plan to be adopted in early 2019.  It was noted that once the new plan was adopted in 2019 new sites could be brought forward.

With regard to comments on officers referring to the “emerging plan”, the Chairman, Councillor Blunt undertook to discuss the points raised with the Executive Director and Planning Services Manager and report back to the Task Group.

In response to comments from the Task Group on the consultation phase and the planning process of the plan being developed and sites not being available until a specific date, it was noted that legal advice would be sought.  The Planner read out an extract from NPPF 216:

The Chairman, Councillor Blunt highlighted the importance of both officers and Members being aware of the whole process.

The Principal Planner (Policy) informed the Task Group that the new plan period was 2016 – 2036.  The sites that had already been committed and completed would be taken off the total number required when the new Plan was adopted in 2019.  Housing provision would be required up to 2036.

Following a discussion on the five year land supply, the Chairman, Councillor Blunt explained that the calculation allowed the Borough Council to obtain a more accurate picture which was being reviewed on a regular basis.

Members commented that it would be useful to see the impact of where sites were delivering more than allocated. 

In response to questions on the previous Hierarchy consultation exercise and the consequences for villages in relation to previous and new numbers, the Chairman, Councillor Blunt drew Members’ attention to the Corridor Plan which identified the required numbers.  The Planner advised that the needs assessment exercise was currently in a draft form and would be brought back to the Task Group at a future meeting.

It was reported that Parish Councils had been requested to update the information currently held, but to date a 50% response rate had been achieved.  The Principal Planner (Policy) that the current information provided a snapshot in time.  The Chairman, Councillor Blunt commented that it sometimes proved difficult to obtain information from Parish Councils and he encouraged all Members to ensure that Parish Councils responded.

Following a discussion, the LDF Team noted the following amendments by the Task Group:

·         Walpole Highway to be amended to Walton Highway.

·         Impact of where sites were delivering more than allocated to be inserted into the relevant table.

·         Walton Highway to be amended as a rural village.

AGREED:  1)  The amended Preferred Option for the settlement Hierarchy be considered at the February meeting.

2) Members to forward any suggested amendments to the LDF Team.