Decision details

The establishment of the vision and framework for masterplanning

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration submitting information on the Culm Garden Village Vision and Concept document and seeking approval for Stage 1 public consultation on the material.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that the vision document for the Garden Village set out the key principles for shaping the Garden Village, setting out the clear intentions and direction of travel for the scheme. Policies CU7-CU12 of the Mid Devon Local Plan Review allocated 160 hectares of land to the east of Cullompton for up to 1,750 homes and associated development within the period up to 2033 (with at least 850 houses thereafter).  This allocation was intended to form part of a larger garden village proposal. The Local Plan Review had been submitted for examination and hearings would take place in February 2019, with adoption in the summer of 2019 (subject to Planning Inspectorate timetable).  Policy CU7 of the Local Plan Review required comprehensive masterplanning of the development including at least two stages of public consultation, and adoption of the masterplan as a Supplementary Planning Document before any planning application was determined.

Only part of the Garden Village was allocated within the emerging Local Plan and the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (GESP) was intended to be the policy vehicle to allocate the remainder of the Garden Village.  The Vision and Concept Document and the East Cullompton Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document were before Members today.  He highlighted the input from the stakeholders meetings and that of the Planning Policy Advisory Group and the list of suggested amendments following consideration of the documents, attached to both reports at appendix 1.  Referring to comments made during public question time, he felt that this was an important part of the consultation process and that an additional question would be added to the concept plan relating to the green landscape area to act as a buffer between the potential extent of the garden village and the village of Kentisbeare.

Paul Brockway, Project Manager for the Garden Village highlighted by way of presentation the key elements of the masterplanning process, the proposed consultation process in line with the Statement of Community Involvement and again highlighted the list of suggested amendments outlined in appendix 1 of the reports which should address some of the concerns raised with regard to the buffer zone.

The Chairman read the key points raised by the local Ward Member who was unable to attend the meeting, that of:

·         Build quality and design

·         Enforcement

·         Affordable housing and Council homes

·         Affordable housing for local people

·         Infrastructure

·         Healthcare

·         Education

·         Development encroaching into Kentisbeare parish

Consideration was given to:

·         The timeline for development

·         Whether there was a difference between Garden City Principles and Garden Community Principles

·         The Governments requirements for housing numbers and whether  housing delivery test information had been released

·         The number of dwellings proposed within the emerging Local Plan and those emerging from the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan and how much control the authority would have over the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan.  The meeting was informed that all the elements of the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan would have to be approved by all partnering authorities

·         The impact of the proposals on residents

·         The improvement to infrastructure prior to development of the area

·         The importance of the proposed country park and other green infrastructure and that it should be commenced at the start of the project

·         The issues of colour blindness in publicity material published by the Council and whether a general policy could be progressed

·         The preparation of business cases for any ongoing funding bids to help with the cost of the infrastructure

·         The delivery of an employment strategy for the Garden Village

·         The importance of a cycle path and walkways within the scheme that would link the village of Kentisbeare to the Garden Village and onwards towards Cullompton

RESOLVED  that:

a)            That the document at Appendix 2 be approved for Stage 1 public consultation.

b)            The proposed amendments to the document set out in Appendix 1 be approved

c)            Delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration to finalise consultation material.

(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)

Notes:

i)             Cllrs R J Chesterton and C J Eginton declared personal interests as through their positions in the Council, they sat on the Governance Board for the Culm Garden Village

ii)             *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.