Agenda and minutes

35.1   The Mayor, Councillor Robini, welcomed Members and members of the public to the Council meeting, and introduced the Officers present: the Chief Executive, Tom Horwood; Strategic Directors, Graeme Clark and Annie Righton; Head of Policy & Governance, Robin Taylor; and Borough Solicitor, Daniel Bainbridge.

35.2   The Mayor confirmed that he was waiving Council Procedure Rule 21.1, the requirement for Members to stand to speak.

The Mayor to report apologies for absence.

36.1     Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Brian Adams, Simon Dear, Brian Edmonds, Joan Heagin, Val Henry, Peter Isherwood, Penny Marriott, Peter Marriott, Mark Merryweather, Julia Potts, Penny Rivers, Michaela Wicks and George Wilson.

To receive from Members, declarations of interest in relation to any items included on the agenda for this meeting in accordance with the Waverley Code of Local Government Conduct.

37.1     There were no interests declared under this heading.

To receive the recommendations of the Special Executive meeting held on 22 September 2022 on:

·         Waverley Borough Council Local Plan Part 2 - Site Allocations and Development Management Policies

·         Parking Charging Strategy Review

The full reports relating to these items are contained in the Special Executive agenda for 22 September 2021 which has been sent to all Members to read in advance of the Council meeting.

38.1    The Leader advised that there were no minutes yet written of the special Executive meeting held immediately before the Council meeting and therefore he presented the recommendations of the Executive which had been circulated to all Councillors.

1.            Waverley Borough Council Local Plan Part 2 - Site Allocations and Development Management Policies (Minute EXE 26/21)

1.1         The Leader introduced the recommendations, and thanked the officers involved for their work in bringing the proposals forward at this time, which would enable submission to the Planning Inspectorate before the new year, subject to the agreement of the Council.  He commended the Local Plan Part 2 to the Council, which had been drafted in consultation with residents, borough, town and parish councils, particularly those in Witley and Haslemere as the most affected by the proposals.

1.2         With the Mayor’s agreement, the Leader invited Councillor MacLeod, Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy, Services and Brightwells to present the report and recommendations which were duly seconded by Councillor Clark.  He also thanked the officers involved for their work throughout the long process and outlined some of the issues encountered which had delayed the progress of the draft plan.  He referred to the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee which had taken place on 20^th September to consider the proposals.  The focus of the debate had been on the proposed changes to the pre-submission version of the Local Plan Part 2 (LPP2) regarding the housing site allocations in Haslemere and although there had been no unanimity, there had been a suggestion that the Executive look again at the inclusion of the Red Court site.  The Executive had not accepted the recommendation as an application submitted for the site had been refused by the Planning Committee and was not considered to be deliverable at this time.        

1.3         Councillor Cockburn spoke in objection to the proposals which she felt were unsound and rushed and would have a negative impact on the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan.  The Red Court site would have been more appropriate for inclusion and it would protect the green belt and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

1.4         Councillor Hyman spoke on the item, seeking clarification whether the appropriate assessments had been carried out in respect of protected habitats and expressed concern that the approach was unlawful and one he did not feel able to support.

1.5         In response, the Leader advised that the Council’s Planning and Legal officers had confirmed that if a proposed plan was considered likely to have a significant effect on a protected habitats site then an appropriate assessment of the implications for the site, in view of the site’s conservation objectives, must be undertaken. An appropriate assessment of the draft LPP2 hadbeen carried out. This should be read in conjunction with the appropriate assessment of LPP1, which was found sound by the Planning inspector.  With regard to the effectiveness of SANGs, the Council had received external legal advice from Counsel in which he confirmed its approach was lawful. Counsel confirmed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item CNL38/21