Decision details

Cabinet had before it a report * from the Senior Project Officer and Strategic Manager for Growth, Economy and Delivery. The Council had resolved to develop a Masterplan for Crediton Town Centre as a Supplementary Planning Document. Consultants had been commissioned for its production following agreement by Cabinet on 1st November 2022.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

·         The report sought the Cabinet’s approval of the masterplan for a formal six-week consultation period beginning in January.

·         The Masterplan had been prepared by consultants LHC Design and would be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document. It would form a framework for key regeneration projects underpinned by four main themes; Community Infrastructure, Circulation and Movement, Wayfinding and Legibility and Green and Blue Infrastructure.

·         In accordance with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement, the Masterplan would be subject to two stages of public consultation. Stage 1 had already taken place and scoped out the proposed contents of the masterplan and options that might be included. This report related to Stage 2: to present the draft masterplan itself.

·         The formal 6 week consultation period was intended to commence on January 15th, following consultation with Crediton Town Council, during which interested parties would be invited to comment on the plan and answer some specific questions.

·         There were also two planned events at the Boniface Centre, Crediton, at which members of the public and stakeholders would be able to view the proposals and ask questions of officers and the consultants. 

·         In addition to the Stage 1 consultation the draft masterplan had already been shared with local members at a meeting on 18th October and PPAG on 20th November. At both meetings, members were supportive of the general approach and of the individual projects.

RESOLVED that:

1.    That the Masterplan be approved for public consultation for a period of six weeks to commence in early January 2024;

2.    That Cabinet approve the associated Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Report and the Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report for consultation;

3.    That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration to finalise the material and arrangements for consultation.

(Proposed by Cllr S Keable and seconded by Cllr J Lock)

Reason for the Decision:

The process for preparing and adopting the Crediton Town Centre Masterplan will need to comply with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 and the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement. Whilst the Adopted Masterplan would not form part of the Development Plan, it would be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications relating to the town centre.

Note * Report previously circulated.