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Contact: Mathew Jefferys
Democratic and Electoral Services Manager
Media
Items
No. |
Item |
FC46/20 |
Apologies for absence PDF 28 KB
To receive any apologies for absence.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
There were no apologies. Councillor Mrs Thomas
was not present.
|
FC47/20 |
Declarations of Interest PDF 66 KB
To receive any declarations of interest by
members in items on the agenda. For any advice on
declarations of interest; please contact the Monitoring Officer
before the meeting.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
No declarations of pecuniary or significant
other interest were made.
|
FC48/20 |
Regulation 19 Consultation on Pre-Submission version of Local Plan 2020-2038 and Sustainability Appraisal PDF 607 KB
To
consider and, if thought fit, to approve the recommendations set
out in the associated report.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Councillor McDermott moved, and Councillor Dawlings seconded,
the recommendations set out in the report, comments
included:
- The
Council had adopted the current Local Plan in 2010. In 2014 the
then Government had increased the number of houses to be built and
work started on a new Plan immediately.
- Development of the Plan included significant engagement with
members, the public and local businesses that would provide a
comprehensive evidence base.
- A new
Plan would provide certainty in decision making, protect the
Council and its residents from speculative development, implement
policies to deliver more affordable housing, provide more
sustainable buildings and comply with the Government’s
requirement that all Local Authorities have a valid Plan by
2023.
- A
number of planning reforms were expected over the coming years,
having an up to date plan would protect the borough from developers
seeking to take advantage of the uncertainty.
- All
members had had the opportunity to be involved in the development
of the Plan through the Planning Policy Working Group.
- The
Draft Local Plan had been subject to public consultation in the
autumn of 2019, resultant changes to the Draft were set out in the
report. The Pre-Submission version of the Plan was far stronger as
a result of the consultation.
- Further opportunities for public engagement would occur,
particularly in the areas most affected, through the course of
producing Supplementary Planning Documents for Paddock Wood,
Tudeley and the Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan in 2021 and
2022.
- House
prices in Tunbridge Wells were twelve times gross household income,
the second highest in Kent. There was a real need for genuinely
affordable housing, particularly social rented housing which was at
60 per cent of average market rate. The new Plan would raise the
percentage of affordable housing from 35 per cent to 40 per cent
and ensure the majority of those were social rented.
- For
far too long, infrastructure did not match house building. The new
Plan would ensure infrastructure was delivered alongside any new
development. The proposed new settlements at Tudeley and Paddock
Wood would provide the required infrastructure worth an estimated
£179million so as to not burden the existing
residents.
- The
plans for new settlements had been independently assessed to ensure
they were viable and deliverable.
- The
Plan was the most appropriate way to meet the required house
building which would otherwise be forced upon the
Council.
- Consultation on the Plan would commence on 26 March 2021 through
eight weeks to 21 May 2021. All comments would be provided to the
Planning Inspector for examination.
- The
Planning Inspector would take a view on the soundness of the plan
and advise the Council accordingly.
Public
speakers:
·
Mr Dave Lovell on behalf of Save Capel
·
Mrs Hazel Strouts on behalf of Friends of East End
(Benenden)
·
Mrs Sue Lovell on behalf of Stop Overdevelopment of
Paddock Wood
·
Mr John Hurst on behalf of Tunbridge Wells Green
Party
·
Councillor Hugh Patterson on behalf of Capel Parish
Council
·
Councillor Matt Richards on behalf of Horsmonden
Parish Council ...
view the full minutes text for item FC48/20
|
FC49/20 |
Urgent Business PDF 28 KB
To consider any other items which the Mayor
decides are urgent, for the reasons to be stated, in accordance
with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
There
was no urgent business.
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FC50/20 |
Common Seal of the Council PDF 28 KB
To authorise the Common Seal of the Council to
be affixed to any contract, minute, notice or other document
arising out of the minutes, or pursuant to any delegation,
authority or power conferred by the Council.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Councillor Podbury moved, and Councillor Woodward seconded, the
recommendation set out in the notice on the agenda.
The
Mayor took a vote on the motion by affirmation.
RESOLVED –
That the Common Seal of the Council be affixed to
any contract, minute, notice or other document arising out of the
minutes or pursuant to any delegation, authority or power conferred
by the Council.
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