Decision details

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Head of Planning, Regeneration and Economy requesting approval of the draft Cullompton Town Centre Masterplan for Stage 2 Public Consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that the purpose of the report was to seek approval to take the Draft Cullompton Town Centre Masterplan to stage 2 public consultation. A stage 1 public consultation had been held early last year and following that, the Draft Masterplan had been produced. It took into account the comments received at stage 1 public consultation and the strategic projects happening in and around Cullompton. Those include the urban extensions, the relief road, the railway station and the High Street Heritage Action Zone project.   

The Draft Masterplan was structured around 6 themes or objectives that focussed on:

i)             Historic buildings and landscape;

ii)            the town centre as a place to work;

iii)           the visitor experience;

iv)           how spaces and places in the town centre might support community activities;

v)            growth that encourages ‘shop local’, healthy living and community activities; and finally

vi)           the ability to move around without reliance on the private car.  

Chapter 4 of the plan introduces 8 key opportunity sites for development. The masterplan provided the details specific to each site. To bring them forward further discussion will be required with landowners. The eight sites identified included:

1. Alexandria Industrial Estate

2. Railway Station

3. Tannery Site

4. Higher Bull Ring

5. Improvements to cycling between proposed new rail station and the town   centre.

6. Fore Street enhancement

7. Leat footbridge

8. The Old Cinema Site.

The next stage (if approved for consultation) was to commence the stage 2 public consultation this month with adoption of the Draft Masterplan in August of this year.

Answering the questions posed in public question time, the Cabinet Member stated that: The alignment of the relief road chosen seeks to reduce impact upon the CCA Fields and was the route favoured during the public consultation. Issues around the impact of the road scheme, its relationship with the CCA Fields, compensatory land and other mitigation measures were all considered and found acceptable as part of the planning application process. Planning permission has been granted and the project now moves to implementation. The emerging masterplan does not affect that grant of permission or the ability to implement it.

Masterplan stage 1 consultation responses also expressed a strong wish to alleviate traffic within the town centre. This reflects previous consultations where the community has expressed strong support for the delivery of the scheme. In respect of CCA Field land acquisition to deliver the road, the principle of equivalent reinstatement will be followed and hence maintenance implications would be similar to those existing.  

Once adopted, the masterplan will help support any bids should opportunities arise to seek funding sources for the enhancement of the CCA Fields. It is expected that the masterplan delivery process will inevitably involve external funding and bid submissions.

Consideration was given to:

·         The possible use of S106 funding from development near to the CCA fields to be used to enhance the area and the need to engage with Ward members with regard to this

·         The level of responses to consultations and the need to use digital engagement platforms

RESOLVED that:

1.    The  draft Cullompton Town Centre Masterplan for stage 2 public consultation be approved;

2.    The associated Strategic Environmental Screening Report and the Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report for consultation be approved; and

3.    Delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration to finalise the material and arrangements for consultation.

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

Reason for the decision – There is a need for a second consultation period to take place.

Notes:

i)          Cllr Mrs N Woollatt declared a personal interest as she lived within the masterplanning area and that her property was mentioned in the plan;

ii)         *Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes.