In accordance with notice duly given under Procedure Rule 4, Councillor J C Stilts to move the following Motion, duly seconded by Councillors A S Fluker, L J Haywood, M G Neal and W Stamp.
Motion:
The Maldon and Heybridge Central Area Masterplan and Action Plan 2017 set out the Councils Vision and ambition for economic growth, through a regenerative strategy, environmental enhancements, and redeveloping sites within the Masterplan area to deliver 18 key projects over the next 10 to 15 years. The Maldon and Heybridge Central Area incorporates the attractive Maldon Town Centre, the Causeway Regeneration Area and the Leisure Quarter and forms the Districts focus for employment, retail, community and tourism facilities. Prior to adoption the plan was not well received by local parish and town councils and it is now considered the plan is out of date and no longer meets the requirements of the District and that as a consequence council now resolves to agree an immediate review of the 2017 Maldon and Heybridge Central Area Masterplan and Action Plan.
Minutes:
In accordance with Procedure Rule 4, the Chairperson advised the Council that one Motion, duly proposed and seconded, had been received and was set out on the agenda.
Councillor Stilts presented her Motion (as set out below) and duly seconded by Councillors A S Fluker, L J Haywood, M G Neall and W Stamp.
The Maldon and Heybridge Central Area Masterplan and Action Plan 2017 set out the Councils Vision and ambition for economic growth, through a regenerative strategy, environmental enhancements, and redeveloping sites within the Masterplan area to deliver 18 key projects over the next 10 to 15 years. The Maldon and Heybridge Central Area Masterplan incorporates the attractive Maldon Town Centre, the Causeway Regeneration Area and the Leisure Quarter and forms the Districts focus for employment, retail, community and tourism facilities. Prior to adoption the plan was not well received by local parish and town councils and it is now considered the plan is out of date and no longer meets the requirements of the District and that as a consequence council now resolves to agree an immediate review of the 2017 Maldon and Heybridge Central Area Masterplan and Action Plan.
The Chairperson then called on the Assistant Director – Planning and Implementation to provide some context to the Motion. The Assistant Director provided Members with some background regarding the Maldon and Heybridge Central Area Masterplan (CAMP) which was adopted by the Council in 2017 as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and was a requirement of the Council’s Local Development Plan (LDP). It covered a period of over ten years and set out an action plan which identified 18 spatially specific projects to be worked on during that time. He advised the Council that should it be mindful to commission a review of the Masterplan matters set out in Policy S5 of the LDP could not be amended outside of the LDP review and would therefore continue to provide the policy framework for any revised Masterplan. In respect of reviewing the Masterplan SPD the Government had planned reforms to the planning system through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act which had recently received Royal Assent. Although there was some uncertainty how the new system would work, these legislative changes would affect SPDs such as the Masterplan and in the future would require examination by the Planning Inspectorate to determine their soundness and lawfulness and carry the same weight as LDP policies in decision making. If the Council was minded to review the Maldon and Heybridge CAMP a report would have to come back to the Council proposing an amendment to the statutory Local Development Scheme (which sets out the planning policy and guidance preparation programme over the next three years) and funding resources would also have to be considered.
Councillor A Fittock proposed an amendment to the Motion, that the Policy was brought forward to the Policy Planning Working Group for review at the earliest opportunity. He encouraged Officers to bring it forward as early as possible, but within the time constraints and budget they currently had. This proposal was duly seconded.
Councillor Stilts confirmed she was happy with this amendment but requested that a date was provided.
Other Members commented on the Motion at this point and reference was made both to the recent successful Christmas Fayre organised by Maldon Town Council and regeneration taking place at the lower end of Maldon High Street.
The Chairperson then put the amendment to the Motion in the name of Councillor Fittock and this was duly agreed. The Chairman then moved the amended Motion and this was duly agreed by the Council.
RESOLVED that an immediate review of the 2017 Maldon and Heybridge Central Area Masterplan and Action Plan be brought forward through the Planning Policy Working Group.