Issue - meetings

1.  That the Committee approves the report as the basis for formal representations on the Regulation 16 North Loose Neighbourhood Development Plan (August 2015);

2.  That the Committee agrees the Council’s consultation responses to the Regulation 16 North Loose Neighbourhood Development Plan (August 2015) summarised below.

The North Loose Neighbourhood Development Plan (August 2015):

a)  Is in general conformity with the strategic policies of the adopted Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000;

b)  Has been assessed, at this stage, to not require a Strategic Environmental Assessment or Habitats Regulations Assessment;

c)  Is not in line with national policy in respect that it fails to adequately indicate how it has contributed, and will contribute, to the emerging Maidstone Borough Local Plan’s Objectively Assessed Housing Need since the beginning of the emerging Local Plan’s period.  It is suggested that the forum specifies the site boundaries and quantum of development anticipated for each site;

d)  Is not in line with national and local policy in relation to the Plan’s references to low housing density standards across the Neighbourhood Plan area;

e)  Is not in conformity with the emerging Maidstone Borough Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation Draft 2014 (MBLP 2014) in relation to the non-allocation of the New Line Learning draft housing allocation.  Related to this, clarification is needed on the identification of open spaces as they relate to this site and countryside links;

f)  Should seek to ensure the Plan is ‘future proofed’ in relation to references to the Code of Sustainable Homes; and,

g)  Should include adequate justification and detailed costing where policies refer to the seeking of development contributions.

The Committee were informed of the process the North Loose Neighbourhood Development Plan (the Plan) had been through.  The reasons behind the Council’s formal representations to the Regulation 16 Consultation on the Plan were explained, and were a factual assessment of whether the Plan satisfied the requirements of local and national planning policy.

The Committee discussed the Council’s responses and acknowledged the work the North Loose Neighbourhood Forum (NLNF) had put into the production of the document. 

The Committee discussed the Plan’s contribution to the Maidstone Borough Objectively Assessed Housing Need (OAHN).  It was explained that the Plan would have Development Plan status once adopted and it would be expected to show site plans and the indicative yield for each site mentioned in the Plan to demonstrate a contribution to meeting the OAHN.  The Committee noted these details could be included in the Plan before it went to the Examiner.

The Committee agreed that the Plan was in general conformity with the Maidstone Borough Local Plan, with the exception of the New Line Learning site and the low housing densities, which would need to be justified.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Committee approves the report as the basis for formal representations on the Regulation 16 North Loose Neighbourhood Development Plan (August 2015);

2.  That the Committee agrees the Council’s consultation responses to the Regulation 16 North Loose Neighbourhood Development Plan (August 2015) summarised below.

The North Loose Neighbourhood Development Plan (August 2015):

a)  Is in general conformity with the strategic policies of the adopted Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000;

b)  Has been assessed, at this stage, to not require a Strategic Environmental Assessment or Habitats regulations assessment;

c)  Is not in line with national policy in respect that it fails to adequately indicate how it has contributed, and will contribute, to the emerging Maidstone Borough Local Plan’s Objectively Assessed Housing Need since the beginning of the emerging Local Plan’s period.  It is suggested that the Forum specifies the boundaries and quantum of development anticipated for each site;

d)  Is not in line with national and local policy in relation to the Plan’s references to low housing density standards across the Neighbourhood Plan area;

e)  Is not in conformity with the emerging Maidstone Borough Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation Draft 2014 (MBLP 2014) in relation to the non-allocation of the New Line Learning draft housing allocation.  Related to this, clarification is needed on the identification of open spaces as they relate to this site and countryside links;

f)  Should seek to ensure the Plan is ‘future proofed’ in relation to references to the Code of Sustainable Homes; and,

g)  Should include adequate justification and detailed costing where policies refer to the seeking of development contributions.

Voting:  For – 9  Against – 0  Abstentions – 0