Agenda item

The LDF Manager and Housing Strategy Officer gave a presentation to the Panel, as attached.  The presentation provided detail of the allocated site at West Winch and North Runcton and the housing and infrastructure which would be delivered over the 25 year period.

The Panel was informed that the Council were currently preparing an Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) for the entire allocation site and detail of what the IDP would provide was included within the presentation.

It was anticipated that the IDP would be completed by the end of July and would then be presented to Cabinet in September/October 2017.  Once the IDP was adopted it would be presented to the Planning Committee and would be a material consideration in approving applications submitted in the growth area.  The Panel was informed that, until the IDP was complete and adopted, planning applications in the growth area could not be determined.

The Chairman thanked the LDF Manager and Housing Strategy Officer for their presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Mrs Wright referred to development in the future around the Knights Hill area and asked what consideration had been given to the additional traffic which would be coming into King’s Lynn.  She asked if parking provisions had been considered, or a park and ride scheme.  She commented that the town centre did not currently have the infrastructure to support the development.  The LDF Manager explained that the IDP did not address this issue, but he understood her concerns.  He explained that when plans were first drawn up and allocations were looked at, they were subject to vast consultation.  He reminded those present that there would be a new relief road in the area and there was some further work to be carried out under the King’s Lynn Area Transport Study.  The LDF Manager explained that the West Winch/North Runcton site was the same distance from the town centre as the Woottons and there should be the opportunity for public transport and cycle routes into the town.  He reminded those present that development at West Winch/North Runcton was planned over a 25 year period.

In response to a question from Councillor Baron Chenery of Horsbrugh, the LDF Manager explained that the relief road would have junctions to the development sites and should take traffic past the villages.

In response to a question from Councillor Moriarty, the LDF Manager explained that the IDP would be based on fact as best as it could and it would be looking at a 25 year period.  He explained that the Council were using Development Economic Consultants who had well established methods in place, which would hopefully attract agreement from land owners and developers.  The Panel was informed that the Consultants would be working with land owners and developers so that they understood the process.

Councillor Mrs Collingham referred to social infrastructure such as Schools and Health Services.  She commented that these services were already under pressure and consideration needed to be given to the extra strain which would be put on these services.  The LDF Manager explained that education provision was a Norfolk County Council responsibility.  He also explained that the Local Plan Task Group had recently met with West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group to receive information on the IDP and the potential implications for the future.  The LDF Manager explained that it would be for the West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group to make judgement on what services were provided.

The Portfolio Holder for Development, Councillor Blunt was the Chairman of the Local Plan Task Group and informed those present that the Task Group had met with the CCG to involve them in the process and tell them the Council’s plans.  He explained that it would be up to the CCG to make their own decisions on what services would be required in the future.

The Chief Executive explained that the provision of GP services was previously dealt with by NHS England, but was in the process of being moved to the CCG.  He explained that the CCG were also looking to consolidate some of their services if it was felt that a better service could be provided.  The Chief Executive acknowledged that there were difficulties in recruiting professionals and ways to ‘grow our own’ were being looked at.  He explained that ways to train local people and move them into professional roles were being looked at, but this was a long term process.

Councillor Moriarty addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and in response to his question, the Portfolio Holder for Development explained that Health Provision would need to be a commercial operation, but if the demand was there, it should work.  The Portfolio Holder explained that the CCG would be involved in the IDP process as appropriate.

Councillor Howland asked how land owners had been engaged and the LDF Manager explained that discussions had taken place to co-ordinate their views and all would be involved in the IDP processes.  Each land owner would be contacted and informed of their role and the potential benefits of the IDP.

The Housing Strategy Officer responded to a question from the Chairman and confirmed that work was on track to be completed by the end of June and then presented to Cabinet for consideration.  The Chairman requested that the IDP be brought back to the Panel at the appropriate time.

RESOLVED: That the Infrastructure Delivery Plan be brought back to the Panel at the appropriate time.