Issue - meetings

** Due to the size of the documents, the appendices to this report will be published as a supplement to the main agenda pack **

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Purpose of report

To seek approval of the Kidlington Framework Masterplan so that it can be presented to Council for adoption.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To approve changes to the draft Kidlington Framework Masterplan (Appendix 1) following consultation.

1.2       To recommend that Council agree to adopt the Kidlington Framework Masterplan as a Supplementary Planning Document in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

1.3       To authorise the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy to publish an Adoption Statement and to make any further minor changes to the Masterplan before the meeting of the Full Council.

Resolved

(1)          That the changes to the draft Kidlington Framework Masterplan following consultation be approved.

(2)          That Full Council be recommended to adopt the Kidlington Framework Masterplan as a Supplementary Planning Document in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

(3)          That the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy be authorised to publish an Adoption Statement and to make any further minor changes to the Masterplan before the meeting of the Full Council.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report to seek approval of the Kidlington Framework Masterplan so that it can be presented to Council for adoption.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Carmen Griffiths and Councillor Neil Prestidge, local ward members for Kidlington East, addressed Executive.

In response to the comments from the local ward members regarding their opposition to the conversion of semi-detached houses to flats and their request that this be included in the Local Plan going forward, the Lead Member for Planning clarified that as a supplementary planning document the Masterplan could not establish new policy, however this could be taken into consideration during the Local Plan Part 2 process.  

Resolved

(1)          That the changes to the draft Kidlington Framework Masterplan following consultation be approved.

(2)          That Full Council be recommended to adopt the Kidlington Framework Masterplan as a Supplementary Planning Document in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

(3)          That the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy be authorised to publish an Adoption Statement and to make any further minor changes to the Masterplan before the meeting of the Full Council.

Reasons

Work on a Kidlington Framework Masterplan commenced in 2013. Evidence gathering work occurred before adoption of Local Plan Part 1 but the Masterplan was reviewed in the context of the Local Plan Inspector’s Report and the Plan’s subsequent adoption in July 2015. Public consultation on a draft Framework Masterplan occurred from 14 March 2016 to Wednesday 13 April 2016 supported by a public exhibition held on 30 March 2016. The results of that consultation have been considered in producing a final document for approval. Upon approval by the Executive it is intended that the Framework Masterplan be presented to Council for adoption as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). As an SPD the Masterplan would have statutory status as planning guidance. It does not establish Development Plan policy which is the role of the Council’s Local Plans.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to approve the Framework Masterplan and seek changes.

Officers consider that the Masterplan responds appropriately to the policies in the adopted Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 (Part 1), provides guidance that will assist decision making, and responds to the views of the local community. Significant changes may require further consultation.

Option 2: Not to approve the Framework Masterplan and to rely only on the adopted Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 (Part 1).

The production of the Masterplan is referred to in the adopted Local Plan Part 1 and in the Council’s Local Development Scheme. The project has been in progress since 2013 and there is community expectation for a final Masterplan to provide additional planning guidance.