Agenda item

Report of the Planning Policy Manager.

The Planning Policy Manager introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing members of the progress made in preparing the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan and to set out proposals for the methods for public consultation locally within Gedling Borough on the Publication Draft version of the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan.

A presentation was delivered, informing members on some key areas of work on the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan, giving the following updates:

It was noted that the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan was expected to replace the current Aligned Core Strategy adopted in 2014. The Local Planning document adopted in 2018 was also expected to be reviewed going forward. Members noted that there had been two rounds of consultation on the strategic plan. The first was in Spring 2021 detailing the growth options available, receiving over 5000 comments. The other consultation was carried out in two stages. The first stage was the preferred approach to housing and employment, held between Jan - Feb 2023 and the second stage was the preferred approach to strategic logistics and distribution from September – November 2023. This consultation received responses from 250 stakeholders and over 800 comments were received.

Comments received on the strategy highlighted a need to increase the plan period, reduce dependence on brownfield and strategic sites to include a broader range of locations, types, and sizes and to widen the distribution of development to include key settlements and other villages.

It was highlighted that the housing target set by government using the standard method was 8,334 and the current supply was 6,502. The shortfall was planned to be met in part by a proposed strategic site extension of Top Wighay Farm and through non-strategic allocations in Part 2 of the Local Plan. This might include key settlements for growth of Bestwood Village, Calverton and Ravenshead.

It was noted that 134 representations from 53 consultees were made regarding strategic distribution sites. Many of the representations were expressing the need for strategic distribution, which the council’s evidence supports. The rest were regarding the land for strategic distribution and developers promoting alternate sites.

It was noted that key elements of ongoing work include strategic transport modelling, report of responses, housing needs assessment refresh, infrastructure delivery plan, centres study, plan-wide viability, habitat regulations assessments, and a carbon reduction study.

The Chair then gave members the opportunity to ask questions.

Members queried whether the transport modelling included improvement to road networks in areas identified for potential expansion.

The Planning Policy Manager informed members that SYSTRA had been commissioned to undertake the transport handling who will look at the growth across the greater Nottinghamshire area to provide sufficient mitigation. It was noted that growth data had been provided for the strategic sites, but the details of the smaller local plan sites had yet to be determined however this data was expected to inform the mitigation required within the transport assessment.

Members queried the depth of conversation with other authorities/partners to ensure assets such as schools, libraries, dentists, and doctors were sufficient.

It was noted that through consultation with infrastructure providers and external partners such as health, education, the environment agency and others, the infrastructure delivery plan had set out detailed requirements for infrastructure at strategic sites across the borough.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the report; and

2)    Thank the Planning Policy manager for the information provided.