Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 14 November 2019 were approved as a correct record.

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

No declarations were made.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items 4-6 which contain information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication that was ‘information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’, as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule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 presented a verbal report which provided Members with an update on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         A short discussion took place relating to green belt boundaries.

·         It was noted that the GMSF had been delayed and delayed and that it was felt that local Councillors were not being given the opportunity to debate this.

·         Members acknowledged that the GMSF was very complex and that it was important to gather all the evidence and information before any decisions can be made.

·         Concern was expressed that something will be imposed on Stockport that Stockport does not want.

·         Members would be briefed on a confidential basis as and when the information is available.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer.

The report updates Members on the emerging policy chapters covering Green Infrastructure in the Stockport Local Plan. The report considers the emerging Natural Environment, Outdoor Recreation and Green Belt policy chapters of the emerging Stockport Local Plan.

The Working Party are asked to note the contents of this report and the accompanying draft policies, and comments are invited to inform the ongoing development of the relevant policies.

Officer contact:  Sally Maguire on Tel 0161 474 2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on the emerging policy chapters covering Green Infrastructure in the Stockport Local Plan. The report considers the emerging Natural Environment, Outdoor Recreation and Green Belt policy chapters of the emerging Stockport Local Plan.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members strongly expressed their desire to protect green belt areas.

·         Members were pleased to note that in developing Stockport Local Plan, consideration was being given to creating an ecological and biodiversity corridor.

·         Members stated the importance of good design and creating good places for people to live.

·         It was acknowledged and welcomed that allotments and identifying more places for food growing were also being considered.  Members acknowledged that due to a general shortage of space this was a difficult balance to achieve.

·         A short discussion took place relating to garden sizes in future residential developments.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer.

The report provides an update on transport policy for the Local Plan and is accompanied by a first draft of the policies.

Members of the Working Party are asked to note the contents of this report and the accompanying draft policies, and comments are invited to inform the ongoing development of the transport policies.

Officer contact: Jonathan Mayo on Tel: 0161 474 4551 or by email on jonathan.mayo@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on transport policy for the Local Plan and was accompanied by a first draft of the policies.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         A short discussion took place relating to electric vehicles and how this would be managed, particularly in relation to cables in heavily pedestrianised areas.  In response, Members were advised that whilst this was certainly an area under consideration, the Local Plan was not likely to be the place which addressed all of those issues.

·         Members questioned whether the draft transport policies could be more innovative.

·         Members accepted that there was a need to safeguard routes and also the importance of a changing landscape and the use of technology.  It was emphasised by Members that in order to mitigate congestion, there needed to be reliable and sustainable public transport.

·         For both new and existing businesses, freight will need to be moved around and looking at alternative possibilities was encouraged.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The next meeting of the Local Development Framework Working Party will take place on 24 February 2020.

The next meeting will take place on 24 February 2020.