Issue - meetings

B Report of the Director of Planning and Regeneration

1.      The responses to the consultation outlined on the Central Area Action Plan Emerging Strategy are noted.

2.      A delay in the timing of issuing the Central Area Action Plan Pre-Submission Draft document for consultation from that identified in the current Local Development Scheme is approved.

3.      It is agreed to work with West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit and Government Office for the East Midlands to agree a realistic timetable for the production of the Central Area Action Plan and for this to be incorporated into a revised Local Development Scheme for West Northamptonshire.

Councillor Clarke addressed Cabinet highlighting a lack of evidence in the report in relation to the future transportation, flood risks and car parking needs of the town.  He was incensed that the delivery of the CAAP was being delayed because of the delay in the Joint Core Strategy and frustrated at the Borough Council’s lack of planning control.  He further commented that WNDC money was being squandered on such schemes as Market Square lighting instead of being directed towards the necessary infrastructure.

Councillor Mildren addressed Cabinet and enquired as to whether there were any target dates for the completion of the work.  He felt that there were problems in the consultation process and not a broad enough base of replies to enable an informed decision.  He pointed out that the CAAP affected the whole of Northampton, not just the wards specified in the report and he expressed his hope that there would not be a repeat of the 1970s areas.

A correction was noted on the report to make clear that Far Cotton was not a ward in itself, but formed part of Delapre ward.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, Councillor Church, presented the report to Cabinet with the intention that they would note the result of the consultation exercise, which showed some positive feedback and overwhelming support for the key principles of the CAAP. He confirmed the negative response to the suggestion of bringing buses back into Abington Street. He accepted that, in line with Councillor Clarke’s concerns, there was still more work to do in conjunction with the County Council.  He asked Cabinet to note the delay and pointed out that there needed to be a sound document for submission.  Ongoing discussions were robust and maintaining momentum, with the flood risk and transportation issues being given high importance.

Councillor B Hoare pointed out that, in terms of the whole infrastructure requirement, the WNDC’s £250K, that needed to be spent by March 2010, would not have helped.

RESOLVED

1.      That the responses to the consultation outlined on the Central Area Action Plan Emerging Strategy be noted.

2.      That a delay in the timing of issuing the Central Area Action Plan Pre-Submission Draft document for consultation from that identified in the current Local Development Scheme be approved.

3.      That agreement be given to work with West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit and Government Office for the East Midlands to agree a realistic timetable for the production of the Central Area Action Plan and for this to be incorporated into a revised Local Development Scheme for West Northamptonshire.