Agenda item

• Report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

• Presentation by Stuart Timmiss, Head of Planning, Regeneration and Economic Development.

The Chair informed the Committee of the sad news of the passing of Cyril Dunn, a Co-opted Member, on the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, those present were asked to stand for a minute of silent reflection.

The Chair reminded Members that they had asked for a Joint Meeting to allow Members from the Economy and Enterprise and the Environment and Sustainable Communities to feed into the ongoing consultation process regarding the County Durham Plan (CDP).  Members welcomed the Head of Planning, Stuart Timmiss who was in attendance together with Officers from his department to give an overview presentation of the progress to date of the CDP and also to help facilitate small groups discussions focusing on the five key questions (for copy of presentation, see file of minutes).

The Head of Planning explained that the current round of consultation for the CDP ended 8 July 2011, however, it was noted that any comments received after that would also be welcomed.  Members were reminded of the various consultation activities that had been undertaken such as public exhibitions and presentations at Area Action Partnership (AAP) meetings. 

In addition it was highlighted to Members that the CDP was the “strategic planning framework for the future development of County Durham – over the next 20 years to 2030” and the CDP would “set out in broad terms what development was needed and where it should go, and how and when it would be delivered”.

The Joint Committee were informed of the challenges for the County to create more and better jobs and face the fact that public sector investment has been cut.  Members were informed of the work carried out thus far and the ongoing aspects; The Durham City Greenbelt Assessment and the Transport Modelling around Durham City and other settlements.  Councillors learnt that Durham City was still the key economic driver for County Durham together with the 12 other major settlements in the County.  The Head of Planning added that within previous consultation activities, Members had identified that the relationship between smaller settlements was also important as was the role of County Durham within the wider North East region.

Councillors were informed of the projections for the additional housing need for the County, 38,200 in total with 10,000 being provided on smaller sites and the CDP aiming to provide 29,000 additional houses distributed across the towns and villages of the County.  Members were also informed that there were plans for Waste Management up to 2030 and proposals as regards low carbon energy, renewable electricity and heat.

The Head of Planning explained that the major consultation events were:

·        May/June 2011 – wide ranging consultation on the broad location of houses, employment, shopping for each major settlement.

·        November/December 2011 – full draft with policies.

·        Summer 2012 – Consultation on the Final Plan before submission to the Planning Inspectorate.

The Chair thanked the Head of Planning for his presentation and asked Members if they would join the appropriate geographical group for discussions on the following questions:

1.      Have we got the policy direction right?  With the focus on increasing economic performance.

2.      Does the distribution of housing, retail and industry reflect this?

3.      Other key issues in the Plan are tourism, the rural economy and town centres, what are your thoughts on these?

4.      We are looking to increase renewable energy but only to a point which County Durham has the capacity to generate and also to provide the necessary waste strategy.  Do you agree?

5.      Have we missed anything?

Upon conclusion of groups’ discussions, each group fed back comments relating to the questions.

Group 1, Central Durham fed back on question 1 noting that they were broadly happy with the policy direction, however there was concerns relating to transport capacity; additional traffic from the large amount of additional housing; a need to further develop the park and ride; a need to tackle empty homes; and a need for increase shopping and the demand for more schools.

Group 2, East Durham fed back on question 2 and explained that Members felt that there was a need to look at housing renewal and the distribution of additional housing provision; a need to help the smaller village centre in terms of retail provision; and that for industry the A19 corridor and coastal rail link would be key.

Group 3, North Durham fed back on question 3 explaining Members had comments relating to improving the quality of shops in town centres, supporting independent traders; improving the night-time economy; and linking tourism across the County better, trying to develop 3-5 day stays rather than day-trips.

Group 4, South and West Durham fed back on question 4 adding that the rural economy for County Durham was also an area that relied upon tourism; there was a need to balance the development of renewable energy against any potential environmental damage and to look beyond landfill in respect of the disposal of waste and towards more recycling.

The Head of Planning thanked the Joint Committee for the valuable information they provided and summed up Members comments noting that there was a need to look at transport infrastructure; the link between housing renewal and development; join up tourism strategies; and give more details on individual settlements.

Resolved:

That the comments made by Members of the Joint Committee during the group discussions be feed into the ongoing consultation process for the County Durham Plan.