Agenda item

Report of the Director (Governance) asks Members to approve the areas of support and concern for the proposals contained in Broxbourne Borough Council’s Local Plan and to indicate any further issues that Members wish to see included in this Council’s response.

Report of the Director (Governance) asked Members to approve the areas of support and concern for the proposals contained in Broxbourne Borough Council’s (BBC) Local Plan and to indicate any further issues that Members wished to see included in this Council’s (WHBC) response.

During discussion Officers responded to the issues and concerns raised by Members which are set out below:-

·                In terms of housing provision, the question as to whether BBC met the needs of WHBC needed to be explored. 

·                BBC had a duty to cooperate with WHBC.  If BBC failed to cooperate the Planning Inspectorate might expect Welwyn Hatfield to find alternative housing provision elsewhere within the Borough.

·                There was a risk as WHBC had set a target below that of the need identified by its Strategic Housing Market Assessment, without an arrangement with its neighbours.

·                It was noted that significant issues regarding the schools had been agreed at Officer and County Council level.

·                There was an expectation that Goffs Oak would provide additional primary school provision, which would create capacity that did not currently exist.

·                If Goff’s Oak were to be expanded, a new school there would free up spaces at the school in Cuffley. 

·                If Goff’s Oak did expand then there would be coalescence between Cuffley and Cheshunt, with Cuffley becoming part of North London.

·                Regardless of the fact that there would be substantial residential development around Brookfield Riverside it could not be considered a town centre.

·                The number of gypsy or travellers sites needed by BBC was much smaller than that of WHBC as BBC did not have the same level of need.

·                Waltham Cross and Cheshunt’s projected level of housing by the ONS was a realistic estimation of the housing need in those areas.  The area did not have the same level of inward migration as that of WHBC.

·                Concerns were raised regarding the fact that BBC did not appear to be cooperating as was wished.  This would create a knock on effect in WHBC especially if the delivery plan was not acted upon.

·                WHBC to give some indication to BBC of the areas of concern or issues which would affect to Borough. 

·                The avoidance of the intervention of the Planning Inspectorate at BBC was imperative as this would greatly affect this Borough.

The Head of Planning, referring to a document which set out the Preliminary Concerns of the Inspector on St Albans City and District Council’s (SACDC) Strategic Local Plan 2011-2013 on Examination, highlighted the following comments:-

Duty to Co-operate

Ø  There is a significant matter relating to legal compliance;

Ø  Concerned that the Duty has not been met;

Other Concerns regarding:-

Ø  Overall housing provision;

Ø  Insufficient clarity and detail regarding the associated infrastructure;

It was reported by the Head of Planning that the Planning Inspectorate proposed to hold an Initial Hearing Session for SACDC and that WHBC would send an Officer to observe the proceedings.

Members expressed concern regarding the effect that SACDC’s Submitted Local Plan would have upon this Borough, which may have to pick up any short fall.

RESOLVED:

(a)          That the areas of support and concern for the proposals in Broxbourne Borough Council’s Local Plan as set out in this report be agreed.

(b)          That further issues as indicated by the Panel which Members wished to see included in the Council’s response be as follows:-

v   A comparison of the proportion of existing growth and the rate of growth should be made against the proposed numbers.

v   There was a higher rate of growth in WHBC than in BBC due to inward migration and growth begets growth.

v   It was right to make comments to BBC where it affected WHBC.

v   An informal approach to be made regarding the areas of concern with a formal approach to be made further into the process.

v   WHBC, whilst maintaining its own position with regards to the Local Plans had a duty to cooperate with as a neighbouring authority and would do so.   

That the Head of Planning be given delegated authority to agree the final response to the consultation with the Executive Member for Planning.