Issue - meetings

Publication of the 'Places for Everyone' Joint Plan

 

 

Meeting: 28/07/2021 - Council (Item 6)

6 PLACES FOR EVERYONE PLAN pdf icon PDF 819 KB

Report attached. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader moved, and Councillor Quinn seconded, that the report on the Places for Everyone Plan be approved, following a request from 8 members present at the meeting in accordance with the Council Procedure rules – recorded vote and;

On being put, with Councillors C Boles, N Boroda, S Butler, C Cummins, U Farooq, R Gold, J Grimshaw, S Haroon, M Hayes, T Holt, G McGill, C Morris, B Mortenson, E O’Brien, K Peel, T Pilkington, A Quinn, D Quinn, T Rafiq, A Simpson, L Smith, T Tariq, K Thomas, S Walmsley, C Walsh, M Whitby voting FOR;

AND

Councillors R Brown, R Bernstein, C Birchmore, R A Caserta, P Cropper, LJ Dean, I B Gartside, J Harris, S Hurst, K Hussain, N Jones, J Lancaster, K Leach, J Lewis, J Mason, L McBriar, M Powell, M Smith, G Staple-Jones, T Rydeheard, D Vernon, S Wright, Y Wright and the Mayor voting against;

 

Council Agrees to:

Submit the Places for Everyone Publication Plan 2021 to the Secretary of State for examination following the period for representations.

 

Meeting: 20/07/2021 - Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 5)

5 PUBLICATION OF THE PLACES FOR EVERYONE PLAN pdf icon PDF 820 KB

Prior to its consideration at Cabinet, Members are asked to review the attached report from the Leader of the Council, Councillor O’Brien. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

OSC.05

PUBLICATION OF THE PLACES FOR EVERYONE PLAN

 

The Leader of the Council attended the meeting to present an overview prior to publication of the Places for Everyone Joint Plan.

Documents had been shared with Members prior to the meeting which contained information in respect of the rationale for the proposal.  The Leader reported that continuing to work collaboratively on a joint plan across the nine districts brings significant benefits to Bury including a stronger local economy; reduced impact on the Green Belt; an up-to-date plan; significant infrastructure investment and affordable housing.

The reports circulated in advance of the meeting provided information in respect of:

  • Publication plan and consultation
  • Plans for Homes
  • Plans for the environment
  • Plans for jobs
  • Plans for the greenbelt and a brownfield land preference

 

Questions and comments were invited from Members of the Committee and the following issues were raised:

 

Following a commitment from the Leader at the meeting a summary of the questions and responses received are appended to the minutes; the responses will also be made available on the Council’s website

 

1.   Councillor Birchmore raised concerns in respect of the criteria used to select the sites including concerns in relation to Radcliffe/Elton Reservoir and the effect on green belt.

 

Responding The Leader reported that the criteria was developed using national planning policy principles and the wider strategic context of Greater Manchester’s ambitions to boost the competitiveness of northern districts, create more opportunities for employment and improve the housing offer and market.

The Elton Reservoir site meets criterion 6 as it is in close proximity to the existing tram line and has the potential to provide a comprehensive public transport hub as part of a new tram stop.  This is proposed to include a park and ride facility as well as well as active travel facilities (e.g. cycle hub / electric vehicles etc).

2.   Councillor LJ Dean sought clarification in relation to previously undertaken consultation and also whether the Council could choose to have a local plan

 

The Leader reported without an up-to-date plan in place we would be at serious risk of:

  • Planning by appeal - rather than development being planned and managed properly, we would be likely to get inundated by smaller-scale ad-hoc planning applications on Green Belt land with developers appealing against any refusal of planning permission - with a greater likelihood of success given the recent appeal decision in Welwyn.
  • Government intervention - Government has indicated that it will use sanctions for districts that do not have an up-to-date plan by December 2023 meaning that Bury's planning powers could be removed and for us to have a plan produced for us - which could mean higher housing targets than currently set out by the PfE.

 

3.   Councillor Lucy Smith asked for clarification in relation to the number of houses that may be required if Bury Council, like Stockport chose to develop a local plan rather than partake in the GM PfE report

 

The Leader reported that the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5