Decision details

The Cabinet had before it a *report  of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration responding to a request by Cabinet for a report setting out options available to them, should they wish to amend the adopted masterplan SPD with regard to land south of West Manley Lane within Area A of the Tiverton Eastern Urban Extension (EUE).

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic  Regeneration outlined the contents of the report by way of presentation stating that the Cabinet had requested that the issue of development south of West Manley Lane be reconsidered following consideration of Area B at a previous meeting. He addressed the issue raised in public question time with regard to consideration of a planning application by the Planning Committee and the formation of planning policy; a planning application could grant permission but that would not automatically change planning policy, this was a separate issue.

He explained that the Masterplan, Supplementary Planning Document for Area A of the Eastern Urban Extension had been adopted in 2014. Prior to this the Allocations and Infrastructure Development Plan Document (AIDPD) had identified the Area (A) as a mixed use site for residential and employment development.  He explained that the main area for development was north of West Manley Lane; however there was a small plot of land to the south of West Manley Lane that was within the allocation and formed part of the masterplan.  The EUE Design Guide had built on the content of the masterplan as guidance to developers.

He added that the masterplan could be amended but that specific processes would be required.  He felt that the decision of the Planning Committee in 2015 not to develop the area south of West Manley Lane should be supported and therefore consideration should be given to amending the masterplan.

Consideration was given to:

·         The decision of the Planning Committee in 2015

·         The incorrect assumption that a planning application decision would change policy

·         The need for a specific buffer zone to be established between development and the railway line/canal

·         The views of the legal advisor with regard to the most certain and transparent way of removing the area from the masterplan

·         The credibility of the masterplan

RESOLVED  that:

a)            The existing adopted masterplan for the Tiverton Eastern Urban Extension be amended by removing housing land parcels on the southern side of West Manley Lane (within Area A);

b)           The proposed revisions be submitted for public consultation; and

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 L Stanley and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)

Notes:

i)             Cllr Mrs M E Squires requested that her abstention from voting for (a) be recorded;

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