Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That, in the absence of the Chair, Councillor Tom McGee be elected Chair of the Working Party for the duration of the meeting.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 25 March 2019 were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and Officers to be invited to declare any interests which they may have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items 4-7 which contain information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 as amended.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication that was ‘information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’, as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda items 4, 5, 6 and 7 (see Minutes 5-8 below).

To consider a verbal presentation by the Chief Planning Officer.

The presentation will provide Members with an update on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

The Working Party is asked to note the report and offer any comments.

Officer contact: Emma Curle Tel 474 3542 Email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Planning Officer made a presentation updating the Working Party on the progress with the development of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).

The previous round of consultation on the draft GMSF had closed in March 2019 and had generated approximately 17,000 responses. A report of those responses had now been published. The themes to emerge from the consultation included:-

·         overall there was support for the aims of the GMSF, although objections were raised about specific sites that may be developed;

·         concerns were raised about the impact and potential loss of greenbelt;

·         the viability of the use of brownfield sites was questions

·         concern were raised about the timing of infrastructure investment to support housing growth;

·         there was a perceived disconnect between the expected level of employment and of housing growth and the questioning of whether the GMSF was sufficiently ambitious.

The next phase of evidence gathering was now underway, including flood risk, carbon neutrality, biodiversity and heritage assessments, with independent analysis commissioning for the Strategic Transport Assessment and Viability Assessments.

It was proposed for the draft GMSF to be submitted to local authorities and the GMCA in June and July of 2020 for approval and a further 12 week consultation period, with a final adoption of December 2021 following public examination.

The Council’s own Local Plan preparation would be closely aligned to these processes and timescales.

Councillors discussed the arrangements for the next phase of consultation and welcomed the 12 week consultation period, although concern was expressed that this would include a period over the summer holidays. Councillors commended the consultation approach adopted during the last phase of consultation.

Councillors expressed concern that too much emphasis was being given to the development of the GMSF and less to the Local Plan, particularly in view of the greater uncertainty surrounding the GMSF and its eventual adoption compared to the need for the Local Plan. In response assurance was given that adequate priority was being given to the Local Plan with much of the work being undertaken by the Council being utilised in both development processes. Further assurance was given that in the event of the GMSF not being proceeded with that the Local Plan process would continue with little disruption and that current development plans were still in place until 2026.

RESOLVED – (1) That the presentation be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Officer be requested to circulate copies of the presentation slides to the Working Party.

(3) That the Chief Planning Officer be requested to provide additional information regarding average rental levels.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer. 

The report outlines a brief chronology of the GMSF process to date and outlines the process for preparation and approval of a Development Plan Document and the Spatial Development Strategy.

The Working Party is asked to note the report and offer any comments.

Officer contact: Emma Curle Tel 474 3542 Email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Working Party with an outline of the process for preparation and approval of Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) if it were to be designated a Development Plan Document or a Spatial Development Strategy.

Confirmation was given that in either case, the GMSF would be subject to consideration and approval by each participating local authorities as well as the GMCA.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer.

The report provides Members with an update on Stockport’s Local Plan.

The working party is requested to note the report and offer comments.

Officer contact: Emma Curle Tel 474 3542 Email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Working Party on progress with the development of the Stockport Local Plan, including a timetable for the next steps, and proposals for future meetings of the Working Party.

Councillors again sought assurance that sufficient resources were available for the development of the Local Plan, to which officers gave assurance there was and additional officers were being recruited to ensure work was completed to the proposed timetable.

Concerns were expressed about possible confusion for the public by undertaking a Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) consultation in parallel with a consultation on the Local Plan, and whether the volume of information and complexity of the issues would limit engagement and cause public resentment. Councillors discussed the benefits and disadvantages of a parallel consultation, but the consensus was that it was to be preferred to separate processes as there was a risk of consultation fatigue, but councillors stressed the need to ensure clarity between the two and identify where there was shared evidence.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the programme of meetings of the Working Party and topics to be covered as detailed in the report be approved, subject to the removal of the December meeting and the adjustment of the programme accordingly.

(3) That the Democratic Services Officer be requested to include a ‘Local Plan progress update’ as a standing item on each Working Party agenda.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer.

The report is for information and is intended to provide an update on the contents of the Action Plan, after its publication on the Council’s website on 19th August 2019, being the date specified by government.

The Working Party is asked to note the report and offer any comments.

Officer contact: Emma Curle Tel 474 3542 Email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Working Party with an update on the outcome of the Government’s first annual Housing Delivery Test and the contents of its Action Plan to increase housing delivery across England.

It was confirmed that the Council was already undertaking many of the items set out in the Action Plan.

Councillors discussed delays with developers in bringing sites and proposals forward for determination and the need to better understand barriers and challenges. Councillors also acknowledged the need for members to be appropriately trained and briefed on the implications of the Housing Delivery Test and the housing supply, but cautioned that the number of units refused by members and overturned by the Planning Inspectorate was relatively small.

Councillors also discussed the Mayoral Development Corporation and the aspirations to increase housing provision in Town Centre West. It was commented that as progress was made with implementing current permissions for housing in the Town Centre it was anticipated that confidence and demand would grow.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Chief Planning Officer and the Head of Legal, Democratic Governance, Estates and Asset Management be requested to confirm that all councillors had received appropriate training in relation to planning.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Officer, in consultation with the Chief Planning Officer, be requested to circulate a programme of meeting for Working Party.