Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning, Development & Regeneration

The Council received the report as set out on pages 15-59 of the agenda, which asked it to consider and approve the revised Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Growth Plan (SGP) to put in place a long-term strategy for future development and prosperity across the City and County.

There was a general consensus amongst Members that whilst it was not a perfect document, the proposed Plan represented a useful strategy to focus the mind on the major issues facing the region for the period up to 2050, as well as offering potential solutions. It was suggested that in certain areas the Plan lacked vision, whilst the inclusion of speculative housing figures was criticised on the basis that until the precise location of certain infrastructure projects had been decided, the location of most of the new homes needed could not be accurately forecast. It was however widely acknowledged that approving the Plan would protect the Borough in terms of the relatively low housing figures required when compared to neighbouring local authority areas, many of whom had five-figure projections. Whilst the figures made uncomfortable reading to some Members, it was suggested that failing to plan for the future appropriately would be irresponsible and without securing vital infrastructure improvements the Borough was likely to become gridlocked.

Some Members were less supportive of the Plan, arguing that there had been a lack of transparency in its formulation and that it required further work before it could be considered fit for approval. There was particular concern that whilst the Plan was a strategic document and not a policy document, it could tie the Council’s hands and leave the authority in a position where Members might not be able to oppose future developments in the Borough, even if they were clearly inappropriate. There was also a concern expressed about the threat that meeting the housing figures would pose towards the Council’s existing green spaces.

During the debate, Councillor Mrs H E Loydall proposed and the Deputy Leader of the Council seconded a motion that an amendment be made to Recommendation A to replace the words “be approved” with “be considered as a starting point”.

In response to the moving of the above motion, the Head of Planning, Development & Regeneration reassured Members that the SGP was a non-binding, non-statutory strategic document; therefore approving it would be demonstrating a commitment to collectively sharing the strategic vision, as opposed to locking the authority in to a binding series of targets or obligations. The Monitoring Officer concurred with this view, and also stated that even if it were a statutory policy document, this would still not be binding on Members as it would not override their obligation to consider cases on their own merits, without fettering their discretion. Members were also reminded that the Council has a statutory duty to cooperate with its neighbouring local authorities in the preparation of its Local Plan. The situation was made clear to Members that by failing to approve the SGP, the authority would almost certainly be putting at risk its Local Plan, through demonstrating a failure to comply with the duty of cooperation. The Chief Executive confirmed that with regard to the other City and County local authorities, each of them had given their approval to the Plan, the one remaining exception being Blaby District Council who were due to consider it at its Council meeting taking place the same evening. In addition, there was the further risk that in the event of the Local Plan being jeopardised, there would be no controls in place and the Borough may end up having unwanted developments imposed upon it. With a sound Local Plan, supported by the overarching Strategic Growth Plan, the Council would be far better placed to exercise controls and guide developments towards areas where the appropriate infrastructure exists to support them.

The motion to amend the recommendation was put to the vote and it was

DEFEATED THAT:

An amendment be made to Recommendation A to replace the words “be approved” with “be considered as a starting point”.

Votes For                2

Votes Against          12

Abstentions             3

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor Mrs L M Broadley and

RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The Strategic Growth Plan “Leicester and Leicestershire 2050: Our Vision for Growth” be approved; and

(ii)     That the Chief Executive (or equivalent) of each SGP partner authority, following consultation with the Leader of that authority and the Joint Strategic Planning Manager, be authorised to agree, prior to publication, any final minor amendments to the Strategic Growth Plan which do not significantly change the overall content or purpose of the document.

Votes For                  15

Votes Against          0

Abstentions             2