Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Summary

To receive a report and associated presentation on the development of the Banbury Masterplan.

The presentation will be given by representatives of WYG, the consultants appointed to prepare the Banbury Masterplan.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To consider the issues that have informed the preparation of the Masterplan for Banbury and to note the progress being made. 

(2)               To receive a presentation by WYG.

(3)               To consider proceeding to public consultation and completion of the Masterplan.

Resolved

(1)      That the issues that have informed the preparation of the Masterplan for Banbury and the progress being made be noted. 

(2)      That the WYG presentation by the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy be noted.

(3)      That it be agreed to proceed to public consultation and completion of the Masterplan.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report and gave a presentation on the development of the Banbury Masterplan. The presentation had been put together by representatives of WYG, the consultants appointed to prepare the Banbury Masterplan, but who had been unable to attend the meeting.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Planning explained that, like the Bicester Masterplan, the Banbury Masterplan contained a set of strategic proposals for the future development of the town to ensure the development of the town proceeded in a holistic, planned, coordinated way. It would be used to provide the detailed underpinning for the Banbury chapter of the Local Plan for the District which was currently out for consultation and due for Examination in 2013.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Mr Malcolm Finch, founder of the Hanwell Fields Development Action Group (HFDAG), addressed Executive.

In response to Mr Finch’s address, the Chairman confirmed that the consultation undertaken on the emerging Local Plan fulfilled all of the statutory requirements and significant public consultation would take place on both the Local Plan and the Banbury Masterplan as the importance of engaging and obtaining the views of the residents in the district was recognised and their contribution welcomed.

The Lead Member for planning explained that as part of the preparation process of the Banbury Masterplan, consultants had prepared a conceptual version of the Masterplan. The consultants had gathered information and liaised with key stakeholders, including district, town and county councillors, the college, local businesses through Banbury Town Centre Partnership and Banbury Chamber of Commerce and neighbouring Parish Councils. Engagement had so far included a series of workshops and one to one interviews.

Following consideration by the Executive of the conceptual Masterplan there would be a deeper examination of infrastructure needs of the town including future education, health, green infrastructure and leisure requirements. The final draft Masterplan for Banbury would be consulted on in Autumn 2012.

Resolved

(1)               That the issues that have informed the preparation of the Masterplan for Banbury and the progress being made be noted. 

(2)               That the WYG presentation by the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy be noted.

(3)               That it be agreed to proceed to public consultation and completion of the Masterplan.

Reasons

The Masterplan contains a set of strategic proposals for the future development of the town to ensure the development of the town proceeds in a holistic, planned, coordinated way.

Options

Option One:              To take no action

Option Two:             To accept the recommendation

Option Three:          To continue with a piecemeal approach to development that fails to ensure integration with the existing town or to ensure that opportunities are realised for the benefit of residents and businesses in Banbury.