To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2009.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2009 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence had been received from Mr A Joel.

To note whether the Chairman proposes to accept any item of urgent business.

None.

Members are asked at this stage to declare any interests pertinent to the items on this agenda.  The Members’ Code of Conduct requires that declarations include the nature of the interest and whether it is a personal or prejudicial interest.

Mr F Sharpe declared a personal and prejudicial interest in proposals for Swaffham, as a member of the Town Council with land under consideration at SW7 and SW9.

Mrs A Steward, who was present as an observer, declared a personal interest.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

It is proposed to present the report in three parts with the following approximate timings, to enable any non-members wishing to attend only for a particular area to do so.

09.30am – 09.40am – Introduction

09.40am – 11.00am – Proposals for Swaffham

11.15am – 12.30pm – Proposals for Narborough

Note

Members are kindly requested to bring to the meeting their copies of the Site Specific Policies and Proposals Issues and Options Consultation document (orange cover) and Additional Sites Consultation Spring 2009 (purple cover) for reference.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer presented the report and sought Members’ views on the Preferred and Reasonable Alternative sites. 

Over 130 sites had been put forward, which could deliver up to 123,000 homes.  However, within the Core Strategy, there was only an identified need for 1,400 homes and 2,700 jobs in the District.

The site classifications were clarified.  The Preferred Options were those which would sustain growth with the least issues and challenges.  Alternative Reasonable Options were capable of delivering development but were less sustainable and had more issues, eg delivery problems or landscape restraints.  Unreasonable Sites were those considered to be undeliverable due to issues such as access restrictions, contamination and policy objections.

SWAFFHAM

The task in Swaffham was to provide new land for 250 homes to be built up to 2026 (in addition to any sites with existing planning permission) and to provide about five hectares of land for between 300-650 jobs.

The following background information was provided:

·                    there was no strategic sewer network serving the west of the town

·                    employment areas were largely focussed to the north near to the EcoTech Centre

·                    there were good local transport links (bus)

·                    no major river flooding, but some local sewer flooding in the Sporle Road area

·                    limited land available within the town

·                    an existing permission for 414 new houses on the former Redland Tile site (which explained the low allocation of new homes)

·                    landscaping issues included the Brecks to the west and south and the stone curlew buffer to the south.

Mr F Sharpe left the room at this point in the presentation.

Unreasonable Sites (Appendix A)

Members were asked if they had any objection to the sites included in the list.

The Chairman asked if the update to the Proposals map, concerning Site reference (097)020 should be agreed at this stage.

The Principal Planning Officer suggested that this should be discussed in more detail at a later session.  The land was in private ownership and the proposal suggested the release of land around the Manor House for residential development in exchange for securing the Antinghams as Public Open Space.  As the Manor House was a listed building this suggestion was not considered suitable.

Conclusion

Members endorsed the list of Unreasonable Sites, as contained in Appendix A.

Preferred Allocations in Swaffham

Members were then shown a slide show with maps and photographs and an overview of each site.

SW1: Land to the East of Brandon Road and North of the old Redland Tiles Site

The promoters of the site had suggested that it could also accommodate a local neighbourhood centre.

A member was concerned that 250 houses in addition to the 414 already approved would cause congestion unless proposals were put forward to improve the roads.  He also noted that a sewer would have to be put in too.

The Highway Authority had advised that access proposals would have to be looked at carefully to ensure the free movement of traffic.  The site was well related to local schools and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The next meeting of the LDF Task & Finish Group will be on Tuesday 3 November 2009 at 09.30am in the Memorial Hall, Norwich Street, Dereham.

The next meeting would be held on 3 November 2009 at 09.30am in the Memorial Hall, Norwich Road, Dereham.