Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to seek the Executive’s approval of the Dunsfold Park Garden Village Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (included in Annexe 1), and that it is recommended to Full Council for formal adoption as a material planning consideration.

Recommendation

The Executive recommends to the Council that the Dunsfold Park Garden Village Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be adopted.

RESOLVED

That the Executive recommends to the Council that the Dunsfold Park Garden Village Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be adopted.

Reason: The SPD provides further guidance about the Council’s approach to the Dunsfold Park Garden Village, specifically the future masterplan and design of the new development to support the delivery of the new village based on garden community principles.

The SPD clearly defines what is required from new development on site and what the Council aspires to achieve on the site, building on the work undertaken to date.  It will be instrumental when negotiating with the promoter, landowner and future developers as the site is brought forward.  It is also expected that the production of this document will assist the preparation of planning submissions, manage expectations and support the earliest delivery of the village.

The Council cannot introduce new planning policy through a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), rather this SPD is intended to build on the existing adopted policies pertaining to the site, which fall within the statutory development plan (namely SS7 and SS7A of the Waverley Local Plan Part 1 ‘Strategic Policies and Sites’ 2018).

This recommendation follows a four-week public consultation that has been undertaken in accordance with Regulation 13 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (“the Regulations”).

[This matter is recommended to Council for decision and is not subject to the call-in procedure.]

Councillor Townsend presented the final draft of the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), thanking the officers involved, the consultants, Allies and Morrison and Design South East.  The report set out the changes which had been made to the draft following the consultation period and was an important document setting out the clear vision for the site and the masterplanning framework.  Allies and Morrison gave a detailed presentation on the final draft of the SPD following the consultation responses received.

Councillor Hyman spoke on this item, expressing disappointment in the decision making process, concerns over the use of appropriate assessments and the impact on the residents of Dunsfold.  In response, Councillor Townsend clarified that the document was an SPD and did not change the quantum set out in Local Plan Part 1.  She assured Councillor Hyman that the Council had complied with all regulations and residents of Dunsfold and the surrounding parishes had been represented on the working group.  The Leader added that Councillor Townsend and the Head of Planning would respond separately to Councillor Hyman’s concerns.  Councillors Williams and MacLeod confirmed that legal advice had been sought and the comments were not relevant to this document.  The consultation period had been exemplary and the SPD was welcomed. 

The Leader welcomed the report and encouraged the new owners of the site to proceed with building out the site as per the previously agreed planning application without delay and deliver for residents. 

RESOLVED

That the Executive recommends to the Council that the Dunsfold Park Garden Village Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be adopted.

Reason: The SPD provides further guidance about the Council’s approach to the Dunsfold Park Garden Village, specifically the future masterplan and design of the new development to support the delivery of the new village based on garden community principles.

The SPD clearly defines what is required from new development on site and what the Council aspires to achieve on the site, building on the work undertaken to date.  It will be instrumental when negotiating with the promoter, landowner and future developers as the site is brought forward.  It is also expected that the production of this document will assist the preparation of planning submissions, manage expectations and support the earliest delivery of the village.

The Council cannot introduce new planning policy through a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), rather this SPD is intended to build on the existing adopted policies pertaining to the site, which fall within the statutory development plan (namely SS7 and SS7A of the Waverley Local Plan Part 1 ‘Strategic Policies and Sites’ 2018).

This recommendation follows a four-week public consultation that has been undertaken in accordance with Regulation 13 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (“the Regulations”).