Prior to the report’s
introduction Mr Steve Heely addressed the Committee on behalf of
the Save Our Heathlands Action Group.
The Director of Regeneration
and Place introduced the report and stated that option agreements
for over 30% of the land needed had been signed between Homes
England and the landowners. The location and date of the proposed
public engagement exercises would be confirmed in the near
future.
The Local Planning Authority
(LPA) had requested further evidence on the proposed development,
which included the potential achievement of nutrient neutrality,
the extraction of minerals to dovetail with new development on the
site and a supplementary planning document.
Reference was made to the
railway transport options as outlined in the report, with
reassurance given that it was standard practice for all options to
be outlined and considered; there was however evidence to support a
commercially viable railway station in Heathlands with no changes
to the existing stations. Homes England had commissioned the
preparation of a further detailed strategic outline business case
to be submitted to the LPA.
The Committee would be
considering a town planning strategy document for the site in the
future.
Several Members felt that
further information on the proposal and the progress made,
particularly in relation to the options agreements and the
potential railway station, should be provided to the Committee in
the near future.
The importance and standing of
Homes England as the Council’s partner for the proposal was
reiterated.
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.