The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration requesting consideration of the commissioning of consultants to assist in the preparation of a Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document and Delivery Plan in respect of Cullompton Town Centre.
The Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that Cullompton was the focus for significant housing growth in the emerging Local Plan Review. There was a need to progress a masterplanning exercise for Cullompton Town Centre in tandem with other projects and initiatives including the Garden Village, the townscape heritage initiative fund application, the Devon Metro project and other masterplanning in connection with the planned urban extension to the north west of Cullompton. She outlined the policies within the emerging Local Plan which highlighted strategic allocations within the town and the need to address traffic and congestion within the town, the impact of air quality on the town centre and the proposal for a railway station, all these issues would have a key role in the masterplanning exercise.
The Chairman read correspondence from Cllr Mrs N Woollatt which requested that Ward Members be added to the stakeholders to be engaged with, at paragraph 3.8 of the report and that the boundary of the suggested geographical area of the masterplan at Appendix 1 within the report be extended to the east of the boundary proposed so that the land between Tesco and the Showman’s site/Longbridge Meadow Industrial Estate and the entire Cullompton Community Association (CCA) fields site including the football and cricket club areas up to the railway line be included.
Consideration was given to:
· Whether the masterplan should only address the economic drivers around the town centre and that the area around the CCA fields be included in the geographical scope of the masterplan.
· Whether including the CCA fields areas into the town masterplanning process would detract from issues to be addressed within the town centre.
· The concern of other local Members with regard to the congestion in the town, the need for a proper bus stop outside the Weary Traveller for the National Express Coaches which would link with the proposed railway station.
· The need for the proposed consultation events to include a specific meeting for the Town Council
RESOLVEDthat:
(i) Local Ward Members be added to the Stakeholder list and therefore have a key role in the development of the masterplan.
(ii) The boundary of the suggested geographical area of the masterplan outlined at Appendix 1 of the report be extended to the east of the boundary proposed so that the land between Tesco and the Showman’s site/Longbridge Meadow Industrial Estate and the entire CCA fields site including the football and cricket club areas up to the railway line be included in the masterplanning area.
(iii) Delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration to engage consultants to assist with the preparation of a Cullompton Town Centre Regeneration Masterplan and Delivery Plan.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Notes: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.