Issue - meetings

Cabinet received a report which followed the decision of Council on 4 December 2013 to approve the Peterborough City Centre Development Plan Document (DPD) (Proposed Submission Version) for the purpose of public consultation and submission to the Secretary of State. Such consultation had taken place and the document had been submitted on 1 April 2014. Subsequently an independent Planning Inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State, had carried out a public examination into the document.

The report set out the recommendations made by Independent Inspector and sought Cabinet’s approval to recommend the City Centre Plan to Council for adoption.

Councillor Hiller introduced the item and provided an overview of the background to the issue, advising that the Plan had been found to be sound by the Planning Inspector, subject to minor changes as detailed with the report to Cabinet. This meant that the Council could now formally adopt the document and if the document was approved, it would become part of the Council’s Statutory Plan and would be used in determining planning applications in the heart of the authority’s area. The adoption of the Plan would mean that the city had a full and up to date Local Plan, very few councils were in such a position. The Council would also have a clear plan and cohesive vision for delivering future growth in the city centre, this would help to strengthen the city centre as an attractive investment opportunity.

Councillor Holdich wished it to be noted that schools had played a large part in the development of the Plan, and over the years, engagement with young people had been sought with varying levels of success. This year, led by Jack Hunt School, the School’s Council had visited the Council for a day and engaged had also taken the issues back to their Annual School’s Council, for all schools, for further discussion. This was highlighted as being a successful formula which could be taken forward in order to engage young people in the future of the city.

The Chairman commended the work of officers and thanked all those involved. The document set out clear ambitions for the city centre and would enable delivery.

Cabinet considered the report and RESOLVED:

1.  To note the conclusions of the Independent Inspector who was appointed to examine the Council’s submitted Peterborough City Centre Development Plan document; and

2.  To recommend to Council the adoption of the Peterborough City Centre Development Plan Document, incorporating modifications as recommended by the Inspector (Main Modifications) and other minor editorial modifications (Additional Modifications).

          REASONS FOR THE DECISION

Council only had two options available to it; either adopt the document with the modifications or not adopt the document. The former was recommended, as it was a statutory duty to prepare a City Centre DPD, and, in adopting it, Peterborough would have a clear and robust policy document setting out its vision, objectives and for the city centre.

          ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

The option of not adopting the DPD was not recommended, because  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5