Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Swanspool House, Doddington Road, Wellingborough, NN8 1BP

Contact: Louise Tyers - Democratic Services 

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome

Minutes:

The Chair advised that there had been a change in membership of the EAP at Annual Council.  He welcomed Councillor Anne Lee as a member of the EAP in place of Councillor Valerie Anslow.

2.

Apologies for non-attendance

Minutes:

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillor Kevin Thurland.

3.

Members' Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

The Chair invited those who wished to do so to declare any interests in respect of items on the agenda.

 

No declarations were made.

4.

Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 May 2022 pdf icon PDF 226 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed.

5.

Kettering General Hospital - Local Development Order pdf icon PDF 345 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report of the Interim Planning Policy Lead Manager, which informed the Panel of the results of the Kettering General Hospital – Draft Local Development Order (LDO) consultation.

 

The proposed LDO would provide permitted development rights for specified types of development in specified zones within the site to support its redevelopment.  The LDO would be a mechanism through which less contentious development could be managed effectively, without the need for the submission of planning applications and their determination, reducing the risk of scheme delay and providing a degree of flexibility.  Development outside of the zones, or not fulfilling the conditions specified, would still require the submission of planning applications.

 

The draft LDO was consulted upon with stakeholders, statutory agencies and neighbours immediately abutting the site.  Five responses were submitted to the Council and as a result of these responses, several amendments had been made to the final LDO for consideration.

 

During discussion, the following principal points were noted:

 

i.        The Chair thanked everybody, including North Northamptonshire Council, Kettering General Hospital, stakeholders and the public who had had an input to the consultation.

 

ii.       The redevelopment of the hospital would be a massive undertaking.  Members questioned that during construction development, how would the Council ensure that KGH would work to the LDO and how it would be enforced.

 

iii.      The aim of the LDO was for the smallest amount of disruption whilst keeping services going and KGH were mindful of the impacts on neighbours.  The initial programme of works would become clear with the Phase 1 planning application.  If anyone had concerns, the Council did have enforcement powers.  There was a good relationship with the Trust.

 

iv.      It was confirmed that there would also be an opportunity to add any additional conditions to the LDO when it was considered by the Strategic Planning Committee.

 

v.       It was noted that there were not conditions around areas where Members expected there should be, including noise and vibration, asbestos and burning on site.  Officers responded by saying that the extent of the LDO was reduced so it did not fall into major development.

 

vi.      It was confirmed that Phases 1 and 2 were outside the LDO.  The LDO would remove the need for planning applications for some works and there were other regimes for compliance.  The hospital received some flexibilities during Covid and the LDO, would in part, extend those.

 

vii.     The LDO did not seek to replicate issues which were covered by other regulations, and it was suggested that officers further considered any possible conditions, prior to the LDO’s consideration at Strategic Planning Committee.

 

viii.    KGH would be trying to keep as many aspects of its services on site during the works.  Off-site parking sites were being considered for staff, with visitors still on the site.  It was accepted that it was a challenging site.

 

ix.      It was not yet clear which of the site’s accesses would be used by construction traffic.  A transport assessment would be submitted as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

North Northamptonshire Strategic Plan Scope and Issues Consultation Headlines - Verbal Update

Minutes:

The Panel considered a verbal report of the Policy Manager, which updated the Panel on the headlines of the Scope and Issues consultation which had taken place between March and May 2022. 

 

The consultation had used a variety of methods, consistent with the Statement of Community Involvement and was more extensive than required by regulations.  This included:

 

   Town and parish council virtual workshops

   Drop-in sessions at main council offices

   Member workshop

   Consultation material being made available at main council offices and libraries

   Notifying people on the Strategic Plan database, North Northamptonshire Consultation Register and Residents Panel

   Press release and use of Council social media channels.

 

Around 370 respondents to the consultation had submitted thousands of individual responses.  Key issues from initial review included:

 

   Oxford-Cambridge Arc: Developers recognised the uncertainty with the ASF but considered that the Strategic Plan should still capitalise on the opportunities of the Arc. 

   Plan-period: Number of developers were seeking the plan-period to be extended beyond 2041.

   Spatial Strategy: There was recognition of the benefits of an urban-focused strategy, but several respondents sought a more flexible spatial strategy with more growth at Market Towns and in Rural Areas/a dispersed spatial strategy. The over-reliance on delivery from Garden Communities was highlighted/challenged, although promoters of some of the Garden Communities were seeking extensions to these.

   Local Housing Need: Number of developers considered the Strategic Plan should set out a provision above Local Housing Need.

   Logistics: The approach to logistics would be a key issue for the Strategic Plan. Several strategic sites had been promoted through the Scope and Issues/Call for Sites and there was strong developer pressure citing incredibly strong demand/need and a shortage of suitable sites, also highlighting opportunities provided by the sector. Several other respondents, including members of the public, some parish councils, CPRE and some Members had expressed concerns/opposite view.

   Standards: Number of developers considered the Strategic Plan should not introduce new standards beyond Building Regulations/10% Biodiversity Net Gain.

   Kettering North: Several respondents said that Kettering North should be de-allocated, and the present use of this site should be retained and/or used as a country park.

   Special Protection Area: Natural England set out that any growth needs to consider the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area and the Mitigation Strategy – growth above that planned for within the strategy may require it to be updated and revised so it continued to protect the site from increased recreational pressures and loss of Functionally Linked Land.

   Place-making principles: Broad support for the Place-making principles in the consultation document.

   Duty to Cooperate: Positive responses from adjoining authorities.

 

There were around 50 respondents to the SA Scoping Report and a significant amount of technical work is also progressing.

 

During discussion, the following principal points were noted:

 

i.        With regards to the plan period, members felt that it would be useful to have some indication of surrounding areas plan periods.  It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Executive Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 249 KB

Minutes:

The Executive Forward Plan for July to October 2022 was noted.

8.

Close of Meeting

Minutes:

The Chair thanked Members, officers and the public for their attendance and closed the meeting.

 

The meeting closed at 6.40pm.