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Issue - meetings
Statements of Common Ground - Soft Sand and Lower Thames Crossing
Meeting: 21/10/2022 - Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure (Item 6.)
6. Statements of Common Ground - Soft Sand and Lower Thames Crossing PDF 143 KB
Meeting: 17/10/2022 - Planning and Infrastructure Policy Advisory Committee (Item 69)
69 Statements of Common Ground - Soft Sand and Lower Thames Crossing PDF 143 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure introduced the report and stated that the Council has a duty to cooperate with other proscribed bodies on cross-boundary matters, with the National Planning Policy Framework guidance recommending that Statements of Common Ground (SoCG) be used to demonstrate that the Council has co-operated appropriately.
The Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure explained that the SoCG attached as Exempt Appendix 1 to the report, related to Soft Sand reserves in the Southeast and the reliance made by authorities of the reserves within Kent. The Council was a co-signatory due to the presence of soft sand in Lenham. The SoCG had previously been agreed by the Council’s de-commissioned Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee in February 2022, but the Statement has been updated to reflect the current supply and demand modelling.
The Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure stated that the SoCG attached as Exempt Appendix 2 to the report including the urgent update provided, concerned the proposed Lower Thames Crossing (LTC). The Council had been requested to support the development consent order required by the TLC by National Highways. A Public Consultation on the proposed scheme was due to commence imminently. The SoCG reflected the Council’s general support for the LTC as outlined within previous consultation responses, but highlighted the need for transport modelling to take place given the likely impact of the proposal on the wider local transport network which should be supported through funded improvements to that network, and air quality concerns.
In response to questions, the Strategic Planning Manager advised that the two SoCG would swiftly be sent to the relevant authorities following their approval by the Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure. This would allow the relevant authorities to make their submissions at pace.
RESOLVED: That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business because of the likely disclosure of exempt information for the reason specified, having applied the Public Interest Test:
Head of Schedule 12A and Brief Description
Item 19 – Urgent Update to Item 17 – 3 – Financial/Business
Draft Statements of Common Ground – Affairs.
Soft Sand and Lower Thames Crossing
The Committee entered into closed session between 7.14 p.m. to 7.21 p.m.
During the debate the position between National Highways and the Council was questioned. In response, the Strategic Planning Manager reiterated the purpose of the SoCG in demonstrating the duty of co-operate.
Having discussed the matter in private, the Committee returned to open session.
RESOLVED: That the Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure be recommended to approve the updated versions of the draft Statements of Common Ground, attached at Exempt Appendices 1 and 2 to this report.