Issue - meetings

To seek endorsement of the Draft Core Strategy for the purposes of public consultation.

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

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the Revised Preferred Draft Core Strategy (Appendix A to the report) be approved for the purposes of public consultation;

2)         the Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix B) for the Preferred Draft Core Strategy be approved for the purposes of public consultation;

3)         a consultation period be held from 21st January 2011 for six weeks;

4)         authority be delegated to the Acting Development Plans Manager in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Oppostion, to make any minor amendments to the Revised Preferred Draft Core Strategy and Sustainability Appraisal prior to the consultation period commencing on 21st January 2011.

(An amendment to the Revised Preferred Draft Core Strategy relating to the suggested increase in the total number of newbuild properties under the West Midlands Regional Spacial Strategy (WMRSS) was proposed, seconded and defeated.)

Members considered a report which sought endorsement of the Revised Preferred Draft Core Strategy (PDCS) and the Sustainability Appraisal, as detailed in Appendices A and B of the report respectively.

Officers reported that the Core Strategy outlines the vision, objectives and key policies that will guide Redditch Borough’s development up until 2026 and reflects both national planning policy and information on matter that are important locally. 

Members were informed that currently the West Midlands Regional Spacial Strategy (WMRSS) still forms part of the statutory development plan and that the Government’s stated intention to abolish Regional Spacial Strategies was not a material consideration.

A lengthy discussion took place regarding the recommended housing targets that had been set for the Borough by the WMRSS.

An amendment to the Revised Preferred Draft Core Strategy relating to the suggested increase in the total number of newbuild properties under the WMRSS was proposed, seconded and defeated.

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the Revised Preferred Draft Core Strategy (Appendix A to the report) be approved for the purposes of public consultation;

2)         the Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix B) for the Preferred Draft Core Strategy be approved for the purposes of public consultation;

3)         a consultation period be held from 21st January 2011 for six weeks;

4)         authority be delegated to the Acting Development Plans Manager in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Oppostion, to make any minor amendments to the Revised Preferred Draft Core Strategy and Sustainability Appraisal prior to the consultation period commencing on 21st January 2011.