Minutes for Planning Policy Sub Committee meeting, Dec 15 2008, 6.30PM official page

Members and Officers are reminded that, at the start of the meeting, they should declare any known interest in any matter to be considered and also during the meeting if it becomes apparent that they have an interest in the mattes being decided

Councillors Gillespie and Heath declared personal interests as members of Gloucester Wildlife Trust.  Councillor Lewis declared a personal interest as a Ward Councillor for Quedgeley Severn Vale.

Minutes of the last meeting on 13 November 2008

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 November were taken as read and signed by the Chair.

There were no questions from the public.

There were no petitions or deputations.

Report by Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture

Mick Thorpe, Group Manager of Regeneration, Strategy and Delivery introduced the update which had been requested by Members at their last meeting.  He highlighted the revised timetable and the areas of work progressed.  He informed Members of the current difficulties on the staffing side with key officers in all three Councils leaving or going on maternity leave shortly.  Tewkesbury and Cheltenham were currently examining agency cover for both teams.

A Member asked whether they would see the scoping report for the sustainability appraisal.  The Group Manager explained that this was very much a technical piece of work.

In response to a question on how Members fitted into the structure for the Joint Core Strategy, the Group Manager stated that the first meetings, which were due to take place in January, would include representatives from all parties in all three councils.  Members urged that they should be given adequate notice of the meeting details since nothing had been forthcoming to date.  It might also be necessary to hold a pre-meeting to discuss strategy and priorities.  The Group Manager undertook to provide Members with further clarity on this.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Report by Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture

Mick Thorpe, Group Manager of Regeneration, Strategy and Delivery introduced the report and advised Members that the Revised Draft Clearwater Drive Planning Brief Supplementary Planning Document had been out for its second public consultation.  The report detailed the comments received, the recommended response of officers and proposed changes to the document.

He informed Members that the Press had covered the concerns raised regarding the impact on the site and the strength of feeling that the residents of Quedgeley have for the continued use of the whole of the site as open space.  The Group Manager pointed out however that it was the case that the County was bound to sell back this land to the developer should it be decided that it was no longer required for educational purposes.  A wildlife site allocation would be maintained on the City Council’s land and in the Group Manager’s view there would be more scope to protect the area and make better use of it.  He thought that on balance the current proposal was reasonably well compromised and managed.

Members made the following comments:

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