Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance seeking Members’ approval of the draft Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) (attached as Appendix A to the report) for public consultation.  Members were also asked to consider approving use of the RAMS as an evidence base for securing financial contributions from new housing development in the interim period prior to the draft RAMS Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) being adopted.

The draft Essex Coastal RAMS was a joint initiative between 11 Essex authorities to identify the recreational impacts new homes would have on the Habitat sites along the Essex Coast.  The report provided detailed information regarding the RAMS and Members noted that it comprised of two sections, the Technical report and Mitigation report.  A draft governance chart was attached as Appendix B to the report.

The Acting Planning Policy Team Leader reported that once the draft RAMS had gone out for consultation the Council had been advised that it would carry weight in the planning application process.  The report provided detail of the RAMS tariff which could be used by Officers as the basis for securing financial contributions from any housing development that came forward in the Zone of Influence for the habitat sites. 

The Chairman thanked the Acting Planning Policy Team Leader for her work on the RAMS document and referred to Councillor A K M St. Joseph whose expertise had proved very useful to the RAMS forum.

Councillor R G Boyce referred to recommendation (ii) and proposed that social housing should be excluded from this.  He made reference to how any social landlord building houses for rent needed to be able to fund the build costs.  This proposal was duly seconded and agreed.

At this point Councillor Mr P A Channer declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item of business.

A debate ensued during which the following information was provided and concerns raised:

·                 Affordable housing was currently included by the Council in the RAMS tariff but as part of the consultation process the Council was able to raise concerns regarding this.  It was noted that any changes proposed by the Committee would be reported to the RAMS steering group.

·                 Concern was raised regarding the management of the system defined and whether the knowledge would be available to focus on the disturbance points.

·                 The report made reference to a scheme in the Solent but a Member raised concern regarding the beneficial effect and that more detailed knowledge was required in respect of Essex.

·                 Enforcement of the current rules was commented upon and how there were a number of things which could be implemented at little cost.

Members requested that as part of the transformation process any costs, even when coming from existing budgets, should be drawn to Members’ attention.

RESOLVED

(i)              That the draft Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) be approved for stakeholder and public consultation.

RECOMMENDED

(ii)            That the tariff in the draft Essex Coast RAMS be used for securing financial contributions from new housing development, excluding social housing, in the interim period prior to the draft Essex Coast RAMS Supplementary Planning Document being adopted.