Gosport Borough Council Economic Development Board Meeting

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RESOLVED: That the minute of the meeting held on the 1^st July 2021 be signed as a true and correct record.

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Consideration was giving to a report of the Economic Development and Regeneration Manager updating the Board on the progress of current projects and outline the Activity programme until the end of March 2022.

The Board was advised that the Art Council had identified Gosport as one of the priority areas and that Gosport had also been identified as a priority for levelling up and that both of these would have a positive and important impact on the Borough. The Board was also advised that there was confidence this would bring tangible results.

Members thanked the Economic Development Officers for the work they had undertaken.

The Board noted the report.

Consideration was given to a report of the Planning Policy Manager advising Members of the 2021 arrangements regarding the neighbourhood portion of the CIL which the Council is currently collecting from developers .

Members recognised that the pandemic had reduced the amount of development being undertaken and it was hoped this would be a temporary measure.

That this Board:

-       Note progress of previous grant awards

-       Agree that the Round 3 Neighbourhood CIL Fund is deferred to 2022 due to limited funds in the Neighbourhood CIL pot (as at 1^st September 2021).

 Agree to pay GVA a reduced management fee for this year to cover ongoing duties with existing CIL projects.

Consideration was given to a report of the Manager of Planning Policy seeking consideration and approval for publication of the Consultation Draft of the Gosport Borough Local Plan 2038 for public comment.

In answer to a Member’s question the Board was advised at this Regulation 18 stage the report was not a Part I report, to be considered by Full Council as this was for consultation and liable to still be changed. However at the stage all consultations and amendments had been completed the Plan would be considered by Full Council.

A Members questioned that whether, with the proposals for increased housing, would be accompanied by a better provision of infrastructure, like doctors surgeries.

The Board was advised that evidence studies had been undertaken on the provision of medical facilities and that an infrastructure assessment had shown that there was not an issue with the provision of facilities, but there were localised issues with management of surgeries and availability of medical practitioners.

The Board was also advised any additional construction would need to consult sewer policies to ensure capacity was sufficient and the developer would need to contribute to any upgrades necessary.

There were other localised aspects such as Haslar Bridge improvements would need to be considered as development came forward.

In answer to a Member’s question, the location of the proposed site in Heritage Way was clarified and that any development would be subject to a planning application.

RESOLVED:  That the Board

·         Approves the Gosport Borough Local Plan 2038 for consultation purposes (as set out in Appendix A) together with the Draft Policies Map (Appendix B).

·         Delegates authority to the Manager of Planning Policy to make minor amendments to the Local Plan prior to the consultation period starting.

Consideration was given to a report of the Planning Policy Manager seeking approval to publish an interim Local Development Scheme.

The Board was advised that the report was the timetable for the publication of the preparation of the Local plan and was a robust document.

In answer to a Member’s question, the Board was advised that the consultation would be published on the website as well as in public areas and that there would be a booking scheme for consultation venues as well as drop ins to limit numbers.

Consultation venues would include local library and hubs.

It was reiterated that there was more consultation sessions available than normal and that there would be a press release detailing the process.

RESOLVED:

That the board approves the Interim Local Development Scheme September 2021

Consideration was given to the report of the Planning Policy Manager requesting the annual review of the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan.

The action plan was required as the delivery of housing was less than 95% of the required amount.

A request had been made to consider the nitrates issue as mitigating circumstances, however this had not been accepted. There had also been a reduction in development as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.

RESOLVED: That the Board approves the 2021 Housing Delivery Test Action Plan (Annex 1) for publication by 24 September 2021, and that any minor amendments be delegated to the Manager of Planning Policy.

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