Minutes:
The Head of Planning provided a brief update on the Local Plan. This Panel and subsequently the Cabinet debated the reports on the Local Plan together with additional sites and options in January 2020. The update included the following:
· Consultation on new options took place in Jan 2020, which totalled just over 14,000 houses. This included some new sites around some villages. It included site known as PB1, east of Potters Bar. Officers are engaging with Herts CC on its promotion.
· Consultation period was extended by one month to May 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
· Following the consultation, 780 representations had been made and these were now being analysed by Officers and a report will be presented in due course.
· Consultation document sought views on removal of Symondshyde village together with the assumption of 949 extra brownfield units; and in this regard Wheat Quarter site may have capacity for additional homes.
· Following hearing sessions in March 2020 the Inspector has raised concerns about noise and visual impact in respect of Birchall Garden Suburb southern site and transport sustainability in respect of Symondshyde.
· Talks are being held with the Inspector in respect of the scheduled July hearings due to the social distancing Government advice; whether it would be possible for virtual hearings, use of Council Chamber or alternative venue where social distancing recommendations could be implemented or defer the hearings. If a meeting does take place the Inspector in essence would have the information and would write an interim report. An interim report will show whether the sites highlighted would be sufficient or would there be a need for additional sites for deliberation.
· There had been some concern raised about housing needs, this being associated with population projection figures being lower than the previous years – for nearer the end of the Plan in the 2030s. The Officer explained the situation and that Turley Consultants would be asked to look into these figures and produce an update study for the Inspector to take into account. The information would be presented to a future meeting of this Panel.
· New household projections will be published on 29 June 2020. Council will wait until 29 June and then consult with Turley Consultants to judge whether an update of the OAN objective assessment of housing need would be appropriate and whether they can take account of the implications of Brexit and the Coronavirus pandemic in terms of likely population growth and housing need.
· The Panel will be updated on the housing need. If the July hearing sessions are held then the Inspector’s interim report will also be presented to enable the Panel to have a final conversation on whether to accept the Plan as it stands or whether to select additional sites.
· A question was raised in respect of the timescales for Turley to be engaged before 29 June 2020. Members felt it would be ideal if the inspector could have this information for the July hearing sessions. The Officer advised that officers would speak to Turleys to get this update done as quickly as possible, assuming the household projections are published in 29 June as anticipated.
· The impact on education and healthcare services due to increase of houses was discussed.