Issue - meetings

To consider approving for consultation the Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.4, to be carried out between 25th February 2013 and 8th April 2013.

(Report attached – Appendices available via the Council’s website or in Hard Copy in the Group Rooms)

The Committee considered a report which was proposing the approval of a draft Local Plan No.4 for the purpose of public consultation. The Local Plan was required to establish the proposed levels of growth for the Borough, most particularly in relation to numbers of new dwellings and the amount of new land for employment purposes up until 2030. Members commented that the constituent parts of the Local Plan had received previous consideration at meetings of the Planning Advisory Panel and it was noted that the Infrastructure Delivery Plan had been received by the Panel earlier that same evening.

There were concerns expressed at the impact of further development at Webheath, particularly in relation to traffic congestion in Headless Cross centre. It was reported that traffic problems were currently a feature of that junction and that the problems would be compounded by further development in that vicinity. Officers explained that highways modelling had not been undertaken by the County Council at that location as the pinch-point on that route had been identified some way from the junction. It was stated that, should Members want modelling carried out on that junction, the Council could ask the County Council to do that, but the Council would have to meet the cost. Officers added that detailed modelling had been carried out in connection with an ongoing planning application and Officers offered to check which junctions were concerned and report back to all Members.

It was suggested that the creation of a further 3,000 homes under this Local Plan would leave no further housing land in Redditch and Officers were asked what the options were at that point. It was noted that, as ever, the Council would be required to comply with nationally imposed requirements but, should a no further growth option be available, the Council could consider that at the time.

Officers accepted that the two most contentious issues in the Local Plan No. 4 were the Webheath ADR land and the Brockhill area and explained that they had given those most closely involved with campaigns to limit development in these areas prior notice that these matters would be coming before the Council as a consequence.

RECOMMENDED that

the Draft Borough of Redditch Local Plan No. 4 (Appendix 1) and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix 2) are approved for public consultation between 25^th February 2013 and 8^th April 2013.