Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy seeking approval for the publication of the Main Modifications to the Gloucester City Plan for public consultation.

RESOLVED that:  

(1)       the proposed Main Modifications to the Gloucester City Plan as set out at Appendix 2 of the report (including proposed modifications to the Policies Map), are approved for public consultation, alongside Additional Modifications and the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment addendum

(2)       the correction of any minor errors such as spelling, grammar, typographical and formatting changes that do not affect the substantive content of the plan is delegated to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy. 

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy that sought approval for the publication of the Main Modifications to the Gloucester City Plan for public consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy summarised the long journey that had progressed the Gloucester City Plan to the current stage.  She particularly paid tribute to the hard work of Councillors Gravells and Organ in their roles as former holders of her portfolio.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy further outlined some of the benefits that the City Plan with the proposed modifications would bring.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources took the opportunity to thank on behalf of Cabinet the Planning Policy Manager and Principal Planning Officer for their clear and passionate advocacy for the City Plan at the examination hearings and Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure informed Members that he had observed the long development of the City Plan as a member of the Planning Committee for ten years.  He reminded them of the importance of getting it right so that more say is given on how Gloucester evolves and regenerates in the future.

RESOLVED that:  

(1)       the proposed Main Modifications to the Gloucester City Plan as set out at Appendix 2 of the report (including proposed modifications to the Policies Map), are approved for public consultation, alongside Additional Modifications and the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment addendum

(2)       the correction of any minor errors such as spelling, grammar, typographical and formatting changes that do not affect the substantive content of the plan is delegated to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy. 

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy seeking approval for the publication of the Main Modifications to the Gloucester City Plan for public consultation.

Report to follow.

129.1  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy introduced the report and welcomed the Head of Place to his new role at Gloucester City Council. She confirmed that the purpose of the report was to outline the proposed Main Modifications to the Gloucester City Plan which Cabinet were being asked to approve for public consultation. She noted that this would be the penultimate step in achieving final approval for the City Plan.

129.2  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy thanked the Planning Policy team for their hard work in preparing the report. She further noted that two former Cabinet Members were also instrumental in its development, and paid tribute to Councillor Organ and Councillor Gravells for their efforts.

129.3  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy expressed the view that should the Gloucester City Plan be approved; it would deliver the homes and jobs needed in the city. She added that the Planning Inspector had also strengthened elements of the plan with regards to climate change. The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy confirmed that back in August 2021, the Planning Inspector had confirmed that the City Plan would be legally compliant with the proposed changes set out in the report, noting that without these changes, the Council would not be able to adopt the plan. The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy further explained that the delay in publishing the Sustainability Appraisal Addendum at Appendix 4 was due to some adjustments requested by the Planning Inspector.

129.4  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy referred to some of the proposed modifications from the Planning Inspector, such as amending Policy C6 on the Cordon Sanitaire to make the wording more positive, as well as the recommendation of the Planning Inspector on Policy A6 to reduce the requirement for 50% of new homes to meet ‘accessible and adaptable homes’ to 25%, in line with the latest Government guidance. The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy also confirmed that the Planning Inspector had concluded that the affordable housing is a strategic matter which should be addressed through the Joint Core Strategy (JCS) rather than the City Plan. She confirmed that if the Main Modifications were approved by Cabinet on 4^th May, the City Plan would go to public consultation for 6 weeks, and the hope was that the plan would be fully adopted in Winter 2022/23.

129.5  The Chair commented that the report was very extensive. Referring to Policy C6 relating to the Cordon Sanitaire – Netheridge Sewage Treatment Works, he noted that the Council’s previous position was not to allow development on this land and asked for the Cabinet Member’s comments as to the type of development she envisaged there. The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy confirmed that the wording had changed to reflect the modification proposed by the Planning Inspector. The Principal Planning Officer further clarified that the Planning Inspector had an obligation to make the City Plan sound  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129