Meeting Notes
Neigbourhood Planning Committee Working Party
Date: Friday 9th August 2019
Attending: Cllr Roy Hawkesford, Cllr Jo Wilmer, Cllr Carol Lloyd, Maz Woolley
Meeting Purpose: To review the draft plan issued by Michael Wellock July 2019.
It was noted that the draft of the plan seemed to be a good start and covers well many areas we have discussed. However it was felt that there were some areas where it has either not included policies and evidence we feel important, or has not fully developed policies in line with our discussions. It was agreed that the document was not yet ready to be put forward for informal consultation.
The following topics need to be communicated to our Consultant for inclusion or expansion within the plan so that a new and updated draft can be issued and checked before we enter informal consultation.
Parish Spine
This is a crucial ambition especially if more strategic development takes place that might fund it. This needs a diagram showing a possible route linking with existing quieter roads and the national cycleway. This needs to cater for cycling, walking, jogging and mobility scooters. It is a community aspiration. Agreed that we may not have communicated this clearly enough and need to do some more work.
Road Safety
We need to make it very clear that the B526 is unsuitable for use by any but experienced cyclists and even then has a higher than average risk level due to blind corners, extensive double white lines and volume of traffic. (Part of this road is an official cycle route, hence the number of cyclists on it, especially at the weekend.)
Wildlife Corridor/Environment.
The plan needs further development in this regard. Further meeting needed.
Bus Travel
We need to make sure that all statements about the buses make clear there is no scheduled public bus service, just a limited volunteer based service catering for a limited number of people and of no use for work or recreation journeys. This is important in terms of the viability of the villages and access to employment, especially for the young.
Rural Industry
We need to add in an aspiration that agricultural land management is done to high standards with field boundary set-aside, maintaining public footpaths, hedge and tree management all encouraged as a part of the working use of rural land.
Principle of improvement/betterment
The team want the Plan to incorporate the principle that all change must improve the environment and character of the area – a principle of ‘net-gain’.
Off Street Parking Guidelines
These need to be added.
Electric Charging points
Guidance on this this needs to be included
Vision
The Vision statement needs to be updated to include the principle of ‘net-gain’ and other points discussed.
Green Spaces
This section needs further work with the consultant to understand what we include can include under National Planning Policy Framework guidance
Other Green Spaces
Here the community aspirations for management and development need to be made clearer.
Village Separation
It is imperative that the principle of keeping distinct settlements is stated and that the small wedges are defined in the plan as key areas of village separation essential to maintain the character of the three main communities.
Housing
This does not yet properly reflect advice that we were given and policy agreed and is lacking some key design principles. Further work is needed to make sure this is correct in next draft.
Housing Tenure
This was discussed. Imposing conditions on developers so that affordable housing does not get sold into the general market place would be desirable, but it seems to be something which is not suitable for inclusion in a neighbourhood plan.
Archaelogy
Need changes to clearly credit Upper Nene Archaeological Society, and Maureen Williams.
Need a policy to enforce proper archaeological pre-check before development takes place.
Longland Meadow
Even though this seems to be the only green space the consultant agrees is one by NPPF definition the evidence for its importance is not included in the document.
Carbon Neutrality
We need to encourage this as an aspiration for all development and re-development. If houses have a forty year design life then what is built now will still be there after 2050 when we are supposed to have become carbon neutral. The more neutral it is from start the less carbon will be used in updating, when gas boilers are banned for example.
Next Steps
Need step is to feedback to Michael and ask for a new draft.
Next Meeting
Committee meeting on the 12th August