Agenda and draft minutes

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.

To receive the minutes of the RLDP meeting held on the 19^th December 2023 as an accurate reflection of the discussions.

RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the RLDP Members Steering Group on the 19^th December 2023 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

4A. Summary of the KEY ELEMENTS OF THE CONSULTATION

To receive a presentation on the details of the Council’s Preferred Strategy consultation undertaken in accordance with statutory requirements, between the 21^st February 2024 and 17^th April 2024.

4B. Main Issues raISED during The consultation and how they are to be addressed

To receive a summary of the main issues raised and how it is proposed to address them, in reference to the Initial Consultation Report.

The Planning Policy Manager and the Planning Policy Team Leader provided an overview of the key points contained within the Power Point presentation under the following headings:

Ø  Preferred Strategy Consultation

Ø  Initial Consultation report for the Preferred Strategy

Ø  Summary of the key elements of the Consultation

Ø  Summary of the main issues to have arisen from the Consultation

Ø  Further Matters

Ø  Questions

Following the presentation, Members undertook a constructive discussion on the key items raised within the Power Point presentation and in respect of the consultation process on the Preferred Strategy which ran for 8 weeks until the 17thApril 2024. Any queries were responded to by the Officers present.

With regards to Potential Key Site 4 – Llanilltud Fardre/Efail Isaf, Members sought clarification as to the proposal to remove the Efail Isaf element of the site and retain the Ystrad Barwig site in terms of its feasibility.

A Member commented that with the removal of the Efail Isaf element of Potential Key Site 4, a significant number of high value properties will be lost albeit some may be replaced by the proposed candidate site at Llantrisant Golf Course.

A number of questions were raised in respect of the new candidate site at Llantrisant Golf Course, a proposal for around 450 houses and open space, some Members queried whether the land would be released as there have been previous discussions around this sustainable site, another Member raised concern around the impact and potential for increased traffic.

Members sought clarification on the consultation response “not enough information on the protection and promotion of the Welsh Language” to understand the issues within the context of planning and in view of the demand for Welsh language education places being met across RCT. They asked that further steps are taken to ensure these comments are understood and mitigated.

A Member noted that many consultation responses raised concerns around the availability of appropriate infrastructure near large housing developments. Members sought assurance that in areas like Tonyrefail, Llanharan and Efail Isaf, the concerns of the communities could be allayed by improving infrastructure and facilities, such as doctors surgeries and dentists, in an effort to encourage them to be more open to further development.

Members were sympathetic to the need to balance the housing demands and building on a small number of large key sites.

Members agreed that there needs to be more collaboration and engagement between RCT and the Cwm Taf University Health Board on future stages of preparation of the Revised LDP and the importance of establishing a strategy with the CTUHB going forward.

Some Members commented that with a large proportion of the proposed new housing in the south of RCT it may encourage inward migration from areas such as Cardiff and Bristol, with people being attracted by more affordable housing and good road links.

A number of Members sought reassurance that residents’ concerns around additional population growth from further housing developments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.