Agenda and minutes

Members of the Council should declare any interests which fall under the

following categories:

a) Disclosable pecuniary interests (DPI);

b) Other Significant Interests (OSI);

c) Voluntary announcements of other interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

To note the minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 May were submitted and approved.

A Presentation will be given to members.

Chris Wheaton and Robert White, Quod presented members with an overview of the updated draft Otterpool Park Housing Strategy, as summarised below. An initial housing strategy was submitted in February 2019 as part of the outline planning application. A number of key areas for refinement were highlighted by the local planning authority and these are reflected in the updated document.

• Approach – research and surveys are the best way to identify needs and a way forward.
• Local Needs – meeting the needs of local residents directly affected by the development. A housing needs survey was carried out through the 6 parishes nearest to the site. This involved face to face interviews with 513 local residents. Results of which clearly defined a need predominantly for housing and not flats, private sale or rent element and with an element of affordable housing.
• On-site demand – meeting the needs of key workers such as doctors, teachers and shop workers to be able to live and work on the site. Based on the Economic Strategy there is a need for a mixture of unit sizes to accommodate all with varying incomes and again should be affordable.
• Supporting and growing the Local Economy – meeting the needs of local businesses, together with attracting new businesses to the site. A survey of 600 local businesses is being carried out. Internet connectivity is critical for not only businesses but those home working too.
• Wider affordable need – meeting local needs on the site and wider area of the district. Based on analysis including 2017 Strategic Housing Market Association (SHMA) which is a core document underpinning the core strategy, household incomes data, census data, housing waiting lists and home choice survey. Clearly there is a need to focus on intermediate homes to ensure a mixed and balanced community.
• Market demand – meeting the need for market homes based on a review of data and comparable schemes. A diverse mix of homes will ensure residents can stay for life if they so wish, providing a stable environment, diverse housing and affordability.
• Cumulative mix – looking at the supply of housing, ensuring it is delivered, sustainable and affordable within the site but reviewing continuously as progress is made.
• Delivery – section 106 agreement requirements are met with overall proportion of affordable homes in each phase, mix of units, allocation process and ongoing monitoring as detailed phases are fixed with a local survey at each phase.

Members paid particular attention to the following:

·         Source of the data presented.

·         Engaging with more people across the District and outside of the development site.

·         Communicating the project to residents regularly.

·         Further statistics on housing allocations.

·         Transparency.

·         Jobs and how they are reflected in the development – clarity of numbers is requested. Further information on employment will be provided to members following the meeting.

It was agreed that future reports presented to the working group would contain as much detail and context as possible for members to discuss.

It was also agreed that when  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.