Agenda and minutes

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications welcomed

Members and Officers to the meeting to receive an update on the progress of

the Revised LDP preparation to date.

Apologies for absence were received from County Borough Councillors S Rees, J Bonetto, G Hughes, W Lewis, W Owen, M Powell, J Smith, S Trask and G Hopkins.

An apology of absence was also received from the Cabinet Member for Development & Prosperity.

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1. Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and

2.   Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the  disclosure of a prejudicial interest, they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

To receive the minutes of the RLDP Members Steering Group meeting held on the 27^th January 2022, as an accurate summary of the discussions.

RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the RLDP Members Steering Group on the 27^th January 2022 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

Introduction provided by the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communications.

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications provided Members with background to the RLDP Members Steering group for the benefit of new Members. He advised that the RLDP Steering Group was initially agreed by Full Council, to provide the opportunity for the cross party Members Steering Group to provide their views on all stages and content of the local development plan to ensure there is appropriate consideration in all areas of its preparation.

To appoint a Chair to the Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP) Members Steering Group.

It was RESOLVED to appoint County Borough Councillor L Tomkinson as Chair of the RLDP Members Steering Group.

To appoint a Vice Chair to the Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP) Members Steering Group.

It was RESOLVED to appoint County Borough Councillor D Grehan as Vice Chair of the RLDP Members Steering Group.

To receive an introduction to, and update on the Revised Local Development Plan from the Development Services Manager (Planning Policy),followed by discussion on current preparation stages, as follows;

Ø  The Revised LDP process and Delivery agreement

Ø  The Role of the Members Steering Group in the Preparation of the Preferred Strategy and LDP Topics, including Terms of Reference.

Ø  Work undertaken to date

Ø  Vision, Issues and Objectives

Ø  Strategy Options

The Planning Policy Manager and the Planning Policy Team Leader provided an overview of the key points contained within the briefing paper which had previously been circulated to Members to include the following headings:

•         Revised Local Development Plan and Delivery Agreement

•         Delivery Agreement timetable

•         The role of the Members’ Steering Group

•         Work undertaken to date

•         Vision, Issues and Objectives

•         Issues in RCT identifies to date

•         Growth and Spatial Options

•         Strategic Policies

The Vice Chair queried whether there was an opportunity for changing the areas previously identified for the LDP and whether previous developments would be added to the new LDP even if it is felt they are no longer appropriate. The Planning Policy Manager advised that in 2021 and 2022 there was a call for candidate sites where new sites could be submitted. These new candidate sites, along with the current LDP allocations that have not yet been built, will all be assessed in the same way. The appropriate ones will be allocated or re-allocated. Those that are not suitable will not be allocated/re-allocated.

Councillor Middle asked whether social landlords of older, larger town centre developments can be encouraged to develop them, and he referred to the old town hall in Tonypandy, which he considered ideal for conversion into flats rather than developing on Brown/Greenfield sites which can be used for other more appropriate facilities. He also queried whether there is a mechanism within the LDP for these types of buildings to be identified.

The Planning Policy Manager agreed that appropriate buildings in town centres that are empty and could suitably be converted to residential use will be identified where possible. He referred to the ‘Future Wales National Plan for Wales’ (formerly the NDF) which promotes the development of town centre buildings. He also advised that the onus is now on Planning Departments to consider land and town centre buildings for housing development rather than developing on greenfield sites.

The Planning Policy Manager also invited any similar contributions from Members at the meeting or at any time to be considered by the team.

With regards to the growth of housing and housing needs, Councillor Middle sought clarification on the definition of housing need and whether it referred to single dwellings, family homes or HMO’s. The Planning Policy Manager referred to the figures derived from the population growth, and the standard equation which means that the housing need will range between 1 and 4 bed dwellings. He added that the local market assessment produced by colleagues in Housing Strategy will identify the affordable housing figure. He added that the LDP and overall housing figure will not meet the affordable housing need and it is a balance between the actual housing need and the private housing sector giving up the required percentage of social housing.

Members were keen for the empty properties within RCT to be a consideration rather than building more houses, for the existing stock of empty properties to be brought back  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To discuss and agree the next steps.

The Chair thanked Members of the Steering Group and Officers for their time and attendance at the meeting. The Chair confirmed that there would be another meeting to consider the remaining topics within the briefing paper at a future date and time to be confirmed.