Issue - meetings

In accordance with their earlier declarations, Councillors R P F Dewick, M W Helm and Miss S White left the meeting at this point.

The Council considered the urgent report of the Chief Executive presenting for endorsement as part of the evidence base for the Local Development Plan (LDP) the 2016 Maldon District Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) 2016 (appendix 1 to the report).

It was noted that this urgent report had been brought forward for urgent consideration as endorsement of the GTAA as part of the LDP evidence base was required before the submission deadline for the Hearing Statements on 21 December 2016.

The report provided detailed background information including how at the Examination Hearing into the LDP in early 2015 the Inspector had found that the Council’s Policy H6 Provision for Travellers to be unsound, in part because it was based on the 2009 GTAA.  The Planning Policy Manager advised Members of the work undertaken since then, including the appointment of an external body to undertake a review of the requirements across the whole of Essex. 

In response to a question regarding a recent appeal decision approving an additional two pitches at a site in the District, the Planning Policy Manager outlined how this would affect the Council’s requirement in respect of Gypsy and Travellers.

Councillor A S Fluker commended the Planning Policy Manager and his team on their work in getting the report to the Council in such a timely manner.  He then proposed that the recommendations at set out in the report be agreed.  This was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken was agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)        that the Council endorses the 2016 Maldon District Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment as part of the Local Development Plan evidence base;

(ii)       that the Chief Executive be authorised,  in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning and Licensing Committee and the Leader of the Council, to revise the Local Development Plan (LDP) policy H6 Provision for Travellers and to present it to the Inspector for consideration for inclusion as a modification to the LDP at the Examination in Public.

Councillors R P F Dewick, M W Helm and Miss S White rejoined the meeting at this point.