Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2022.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18 January 2022 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 which they may have had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No interests were declared.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Place Making and Planning.

The report provides details of what is currently the second topic-based policy chapter of the draft Local plan, titled "Our Environment."

The Working Party is invited to comment and provide feedback on the draft Our Environment policies.

Officer contact: Richard Wood on 07800617505 or by email to richard.wood@stockport.gov.uk

The Strategic Head of Place Making and Planning submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided details of the second topic-based policy chapter of the draft Local plan, titled "Our Environment."

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members raised a number of questions.  In relation to design, does the policy include amenity space?  What was the position in relation to garden grabbing? It was felt that this part of the policy needed to be particularly robust. How do conservation areas affect businesses? What was the minimum size for trees and hedgerow specifications?

·         Members also raised the issues of lighting and security, electric car charging points and water culverts.

·         Members felt that it was important that the policy was strong on Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, and commented that it was paramount as part of future developments.

·         In response to a Member question regarding the meaning of ‘masterplanning’, Members were advised that it would be very useful to have a definition of this.  It currently referred to sites of 150 dwellings or more where a greater level of input was required prior to a planning application coming forward.

·         A short discussion took place in relation to aircraft noise and how this linked in with environmental standards.

·         Members raised the issue of shop frontages and the poor design that can be associated with them.

·         In response to a Member question relating to the map of core areas and linear corridors and some areas not being represented, Members were advised that there was more detail sitting behind the maps.  Some of the areas could have been designated as agricultural open space.  These areas will be assessed later on the ground.  Members felt that this would need careful explaining to residents.

·         A discussion took place relating to design.  It was felt to be very important that the policies set out what is considered to be a beautiful design in a Stockport context, and to interpret what this may mean for the Borough.

·         Members raised the issue of canals and the possibility of restoring them.  Members were advised that this matter would be dealt with under the transport policy.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.