Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Regeneration and Planning. This report was deferred from the July meeting of Council and, because of the deferral, the timescales given throughout the report have been amended. They now reflect a public consultation beginning, provisionally, on Monday 22 October 2012 and concluding on Friday 14 December 2012 instead of 28 August – 19 October 2012.

Councillors please note: The appendices to this report are in excess of 350 pages and copies have not been printed with the agenda as a matter of course. If you would like a full paper copy for the meeting, please ask Democratic Services to send one out to you.

Copies of the full set of papers are available for Councillors to read in the Members’ Rooms at Morecambe and Lancaster Town Halls and also in Democratic Services. An electronic version can be accessed via the agenda for this meeting accessible through the usual link on the Council website:-

http://www.lancaster.gov.uk/a-to-z/m/meetings-minutes-agendas/

(During this item, Members observed a one minute silence for those who died at Hillsborough.)

Council considered a report submitted by the Head of Regeneration and Planning and deferred from the Council meeting held on 18July 2012. The report sought a resolution form Council to publish and consult on a Draft Local Plan for Lancaster District comprising a Land Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD), Development Management (DPD) and an Area Action Plan for Morecambe (MAAP).

The key issues arising from the various documents were highlighted in the report, which advised on the arrangements for progressing the documents through to the formal publication and submission stages, commencing with an extensive period of public consultation beginning, provisionally, on Monday 22 October 2012 and concluding on Friday 14 December 2012.

There were several questions from Members which the Head of Planning and Regeneration responded to. Councillor Hanson then proposed the recommendations set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Sherlock.

Councillor Barry proposed an amendment in the form of an addendum, seconded by Councillor Blamire:

“That policy CWL5: Willow Lane/Coronation Field (page 65 of part B – Land Allocations DPD) is changed so that the second paragraph reads (addition is shown in bold):

“Exceptionally, the Council may support proposals for enabling development within that part of the site identified as a Regional Priority Area on this site only where the proposal is required to support quantitative and qualitative improvements to recreation and open space on the site and where recreation and open space remain the main use on this site.” ”

Councillor Barry’s amendment was accepted as a friendly amendment by the mover and seconder of the original motion.

Councillor Coates then proposed an amendment, seconded by Councillor Mace:

“That Council resolves to publish and consult on a Draft Local Plan for Lancaster District comprising a Land Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD), Development Management (DPD) and an Area Action Plan for Morecambe (MAAP).

(1)               That the Land Allocations Development Plan document includes a further option for consultation that asks the public if they would prefer to continue with the current policy detailed in the Core Strategy of urban concentration within existing urban boundaries, whereby new housing developments are carried out on brownfield sites.

(2)               That the Land Allocations Development Plan document also includes an option for consultation that asks the public whether we should allow sensitive small scale developments in rural villages where these would contribute to improving the long-term sustainability of that village.

An extensive period of public consultation will commence, provisionally, on Monday 22 October 2012 and conclude on Friday 14 December 2012.”

After a short debate, a vote was taken on Councillor Coates’ amendment. 21 Members voted for the motion, 26 against and 1 abstention. The amendment was lost.

A vote was then taken on the substantive motion, which was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)               That a Draft Local Plan for Lancaster District, comprising a Land Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD), Development Management (DPD) and an Area Action Plan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66