Council and Democracy

Agenda item

Chesterfield Borough Local Plan - Gypsy and Traveller Sites Consultation

Decision:

*RESOLVED –

 

1.   That the results of the public consultation on Gypsy and Traveller Sites be noted.

 

2.   That the potential sites at Miller Avenue, Brooks Road, Bevan Drive, Birchwood Crescent, Keswick Drive and Atlee Road not be included in the pre-submission consultation version of the Chesterfield Borough Local Plan for the reasons set out in paragraphs 6.1 to 6.42 of the officer’s report.

 

3.   That the site at Hady Lane, with existing planning permission for two pitches, be included in the pre-submission consultation version of the Chesterfield Borough Local Plan as an allocation specifically for the provision of gypsy and traveller pitches.

 

4.   That authority be granted to the Strategic Planning Manager, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, to investigate the suitability of the site proposed at the corner of Whittington Road and Staveley Road and, if appropriate, for the site to be included as an allocation in the pre-submission consultation version of the Chesterfield Borough Local Plan.

 

5.   That the Strategic Planning Manager, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, write to Bolsover District Council and North East Derbyshire District Council under the Duty to Cooperate to ask if they have capacity to absorb any unmet need for pitches, should the site at the corner of Whittington Road and Staveley Road prove unsuitable.

 

6.   That the Strategic Planning Manager, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, formalise the email of support from Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group to provide a Statement of Common Ground.

 

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

 

1.   For the purposes of progressing with the preparation of the emerging Chesterfield Borough Local Plan.

 

2.   To ensure the Hady Lane site’s continuing availability to meet identified needs for Gypsy and Traveller pitches should the existing use cease.

 

3.   To demonstrate that the emerging Local Plan has been prepared soundly and on the basis of appropriate evidence.

 

4.   To meet the requirements of the Duty to Cooperate.

 

5.   To minimise the risk of challenge to the Local Plan at examination.

Minutes:

The Strategic Planning and Key Sites Manager submitted a report to inform Members of the results of the public consultation on Gypsy and Traveller Sites, carried out between 12 February and 26 March, 2018.

 

Pursuant to the report submitted to Cabinet on 30 January, 2018 (Minute No. 126, Cabinet 2017/18), the consultation included 6 potential sites from a total of 46 former garage sites that had all completed the site assessment process.

 

The report noted that approximately 200 residents attended the six drop-in sessions held during the consultation period, and a further 829 representations had been received from 749 respondents.  The full results of the consultation were set out in Section 5 of the officer’s report.

 

The Strategic Planning and Key Sites Manager confirmed that, following consideration of all responses received through the consultation and with regard to Local and National Planning Policy and Guidance, none of the 6 potential sites included in the consultation would be suitable for the allocation in the emerging Local Plan for Gypsy and Traveller Pitches.  A detailed assessment of each site was attached at Appendix 3 to the officer’s report.

 

Cabinet was also advised that any future recommendation to include an allocation as a potential gypsy and traveller site in the pre-submission version of the Chesterfield Borough Local Plan would be subject to approval by full Council and a subsequent public consultation.

 

*RESOLVED –

 

1.   That the results of the public consultation on Gypsy and Traveller Sites be noted.

 

2.   That the potential sites at Miller Avenue, Brooks Road, Bevan Drive, Birchwood Crescent, Keswick Drive and Atlee Road not be included in the pre-submission consultation version of the Chesterfield Borough Local Plan for the reasons set out in paragraphs 6.1 to 6.42 of the officer’s report.

 

3.   That the site at Hady Lane, with existing planning permission for two pitches, be included in the pre-submission consultation version of the Chesterfield Borough Local Plan as an allocation specifically for the provision of gypsy and traveller pitches.

 

4.   That authority be granted to the Strategic Planning Manager, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, to investigate the suitability of the site proposed at the corner of Whittington Road and Staveley Road and, if appropriate, for the site to be included as an allocation in the pre-submission consultation version of the Chesterfield Borough Local Plan.

 

5.   That the Strategic Planning Manager, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, write to Bolsover District Council and North East Derbyshire District Council under the Duty to Cooperate to ask if they have capacity to absorb any unmet need for pitches, should the site at the corner of Whittington Road and Staveley Road prove unsuitable.

 

6.   That the Strategic Planning Manager, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, formalise the email of support from Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group to provide a Statement of Common Ground.

 

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

 

1.   For the purposes of progressing with the preparation of the emerging Chesterfield Borough Local Plan.

 

2.   To ensure the Hady Lane site’s continuing availability to meet identified needs for Gypsy and Traveller pitches should the existing use cease.

 

3.   To demonstrate that the emerging Local Plan has been prepared soundly and on the basis of appropriate evidence.

 

4.   To meet the requirements of the Duty to Cooperate.

 

5.   To minimise the risk of challenge to the Local Plan at examination.

 

Supporting documents: