Agenda item

PLEASE SEE SUPPLEMENTARY AGENDA: Available Here

The Leader left the meeting at this point

The Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Innovation and Leisure introduced the report.  The purpose is to inform Council of the preparation of the Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) Preferred Strategy and to seek Council’s endorsement of the Preferred Strategy to be issued for statutory consultation/engagement and stakeholder involvement.  The responses received will inform the next key stage of the RLDP process, the Deposit Plan.  

The Report also seeks Council’s agreement of the RLDP Revised Delivery Agreement, which amends the project timetable for Plan preparation, for submission to the Welsh Government for the Cabinet Secretary’s approval. 

 Councillor L. Dymock left at 17.00

Councillor Taylor questioned the weightings used for settlements to determine sustainability and resilience, hoped that the recent flooding informs strategy going forward and in proposing development, that protection of outside recreational spaces should be taken into account.

Councillor F. Taylor left at 17.10

The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Neighbourhood Services reported on a successful meeting with the Chair of the SE Wales Transport Commission where it was stated that the Commission wanted to support work already in progress.  The Commission has been informed that our priority transport schemes and projects are:

1.    Abergavenny Railway Interchange;

2.    Severn Tunnel Junction;

3.    Magor Walkway Station;

4.    Declassification of M48;

5.    B4245; and

6.    Improved public rail and bus transport.

The Commission’s report will be available in December 2020.

The Leader of the Opposition welcomed the 50:50 split for affordable homes but questioned why the poverty factor not added as an impact.  An indication of Social Rent as opposed to Intermediate Rent was requested.  Infrastructure must follow housing development and account must be taken of recent flooding.  Action should be taken to get empty homes back into use and to ensure that local people have access to affordable housing. 

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats expressed dismay that 8232 new homes are to be built, and that those in the south of the county are likely to be commuter homes and also noted that there had been no evidence of ability to create jobs.  There should be no growth without plans to improve road infrastructure, and no developments on flood plains.

Members had concerns about the number and types of houses, deliverability and demands on the roads from housing development within and outside the county.  A suggestion was made that the County should build its own housing to meet needs and that land should be identified where sustainable jobs can be created for existing residents.

Councillor D. Blakebrough left at 17.35

Councillor G. Howard left at 17.45

Members raised questions about the accuracy of the definition of a main village and  emphasised the need to provide employment as well as residential areas noting that too many young people are living with their parents.

The Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Innovation and Leisure responded that we will insist that the Metro is brought as far into the county as possible and agreed that improvements to road infrastructure are necessary to support development.  The Edge Analytics reports will be available for Members.  Regarding the protection of open spaces, it is planned to identify those spaces as part of this process.  Affordable housing was agreed as essential, however to deliver 50:50 affordable houses there will have to be input from Welsh Government and the authority to make it reality.  It was confirmed that there has not been building on flood plains in the county other than in very exceptional circumstances.  Processes later in the development of the plan will identify how we build sustainable houses.  Infrastructure needs in the south of the county are noted and infrastructure will be considered very carefully for housing development in all areas.  It was accepted that sites for jobs were not previously placed in the right places and this will be considered again.

The Head of Placemaking, Housing, Highways and Flood responded that the LDP is a land use plan, and will be accompanied with an infrastructure plan and local transport plan to be considered with the economic ambition strategy and inward investment strategy.  It was confirmed that the next stage will provide more detail on the types of housing to be built, climate emergency and protection of amenities.  It was confirmed that the Council works closely with its neighbours including Forest of Dean District Council, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Brecon Beacons National Park and Torfaen County Borough Council.  Regarding affordable housing, the differences between Social Rent, Intermediate Rent and Low cost home ownership were explained and there is commitment to provide opportunities for everyone. 

Upon being put to the vote, Council resolved to: 

1.    endorse the RLDP Preferred Strategy for statutory consultation/ engagement and stakeholder involvement for a six week period. 

2.    agree the Revised Delivery Agreement, which amends the project timetable, for submission to the Welsh Government for the Cabinet Secretary’s approval.