Agenda item

To:  (a)  consider the representations received in response to the consultation on the amended Draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) undertaken between 12 December 2014 and 30 January 2015; (b)  consider whether any revisions need to be made to the Supplementary Planning Document in the light of these representations; and (c)  consider the adoption of the Sandleford Park Supplementary Planning Document. 

Please note: A hard copy of Appendices A and B will be available at the meeting.

(Councillor Roger Hunneman left the meeting during the consideration of this item).

(Councillor Ieuan Tuck declared a personal interest in Agenda item 19 by virtue of the fact that he lived close to the Sandleford site. As his interest was personal and not a disclosable pecuniary interest he determined to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

(Councillor Roger Hunneman declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Agenda item 19 by virtue of the fact that he owned a property that overlooked the Sandleford site. As his interest was a disclosable pecuniary interest he left the meeting and took no part in the debate or voting on the matter).

(Councillor Emma Webster declared that she no longer had a personal or disclosable pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 19 as she was no longer employed by the company that had was undertaking work on this site.)

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 19) concerning the Sandleford Park Supplementary Planning Document.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Hilary Cole and seconded by Councillor Paul Bryant:

“That the Council resolves that:

(a)     No new information or evidence has arisen through the consultation to warrant major changes being made to the Supplementary Planning Document although a number of minor changes have been made.

(b)     The Council's responses to the representations received as set out in Appendix A are agreed.

(c)     The Sandleford Park Supplementary Planning Document as set out in Appendix B is adopted in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended).

(d)     Delegated authority is given to the Head of Planning and Countryside to agree any minor typographical and formatting refinements to the Sandleford Park Supplementary Planning Document before publication.”

Councillor Hilary Cole presented the report which considered the representations received in response to the consultation on the amended Draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) undertaken between 12 December 2014 and 30 January 2015.

Sandleford Park had been allocated through the Core Strategy as a strategic site for up to 2,000 dwellings (policy CS3). A SPD was prepared for the site and adopted in September 2013. This set out in more detail how the site would be delivered, taking into account the opportunities and constraints of the site as well as the outcomes of the comprehensive evidence base.

The SPD had now been updated to reflect the need for a single planning application for the site, which was a change from Sandleford being originally promoted as a shared site. It was noted that at present, the two landowners of the site had been likely to submit separate planning applications which would create a more complex planning process. A single application would ensure that the site was comprehensively delivered, with timely and well planned provision of infrastructure. This requirement was set out as a new development principle for the site (principle S1) and was reflected through other amendments throughout the SPD.

The SPD had been published for a seven week period of public consultation which took place between 12 December 2014 and 30 January 2015. This was widely advertised, in accordance with the Council's adopted Statement of Community Involvement. The comments received together with the Council’s proposed responses were set out in the appendix to the report. It was explained that of the 32 responses received many were unrelated to the consultation. Comments that were relevant to the consultation were broadly supportive of the development, apart from an objection received from Sandleford Farm Partnership.

The recommendations proposed to the Council were that no new information or evidence had arisen through the consultation to warrant major changes being made to the SPD, although a number of minor changes would be made; the Council’s responses to the representations received as set out in Appendix A be agreed; the Sandleford Park SPD be adopted in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended); and that delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Countryside to agree minor typographical and formatting refinements to the amended SPD prior to adoption and publication.

Councillor Alan Macro stated that he supported the submission of a single plan for the site. He reminded Members that prior to the consultation he had requested that the SPD be updated to take cognisance of the revised position in respect of the access roads for the site and that this had not happened. He therefore felt that the document was out of date which was regrettable.

Councillor Paul Bryant stated that he had some sympathy with Councillor Macro’s comments. He stated that he had revisited the plans on display at the rugby club during the previous week and felt that it was difficult to understand how the road layout would work. He concurred that that a single application for the site was needed.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.