Issue - meetings

This report brings to Cabinet for its consideration the draft Framework Masterplan for Otterpool Park prepared by the landowners’ consultant team, and seeks its endorsement to allow it to be used to make representations to the Local Planning Authority on its Regulation 18 draft Core Strategy Local Plan and to inform a planning application currently under preparation. It also provides an update on the role of Homes England as a landowner in the project and sets out the Collaboration Board’s proposed Unique Selling Points on which to base future promotion of the garden town.

The report brought to Cabinet for its consideration the draft Framework Masterplan for Otterpool Park prepared by the landowners’ consultant team, and sought its endorsement to allow it to be used to make representations to the Local Planning Authority on its Regulation 18 draft Core Strategy Local Plan and to inform a planning application currently under preparation. It also provided an update on the role of Homes England as a landowner in the project and set out the Collaboration Board’s proposed Unique Selling Points on which to base future promotion of the garden town.

The report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 27 March 2018.  Their views had been circulated to the Cabinet Members at the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Pascoe; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C /17/89 be received and noted.

2.        That the draft Framework Masterplan for Otterpool Park be endorsed to enable the Council as land owner, in conjunction with its partner Cozumel Estates Ltd to:

a.    make representations to the Local Planning Authority’s consultation on its Draft Core Strategy Local Plan; and

b.    based on the “red line boundary” prepare an outline planning application to be submitted to the Local Planning Authority in summer 2018.

3.        That the principles below set out in the Framework Masterplan be endorsed:

·        Initial outline planning application for 8500 homes

·        Masterplan to show further expansion in later phases to approximately  10,000 homes within the boundary shown in the diagram in Appendix A;

·        Creation of around 15 hectares of employment space, contributing to a total of approximately 8000 jobs;

·        Approximately 275 - 300 hectares of green infrastructure; and

·        Development to be delivered in a phased way.

4.        That Homes England’s new role as landowner partner to the project be noted, and Cabinet supports its representation on the Collaboration Board.

5.        That the Collaboration Board’s proposed Unique Selling Points as set out in section 10 be noted.

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

(During consideration of this report, Councillor Dearden, and the Chief Executive left the meeting).

 REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet was asked to agree the recommendations because:

a)    The recommendations would enable submission of a draft Framework Masterplan for the garden town to the Local Planning Authority, and work to continue on an outline planning application to maintain the existing programme for the development of Otterpool Park.

b)    The recommendations had resource and financial implications for the Council.