Agenda item

A previous draft of the Development Management Policies Development Plan Document was agreed by Executive 24 March 2014 and issued for consultation.  Following consideration of the consultation responses and other factors such as changes in Government policy it is proposed that the Plan be amended and taken through its next steps in the adoption process.  Subject to Cabinet approval it is recommended to issue the amended draft Plan for representations consistent with the requirements set out in Planning Regulations, prior to its submission to the Planning Inspectorate for examination.   This report provides a summary of the consultation responses.  It explains the main changes that are being proposed to the draft Plan and recommends that this be published and made available for representations for 6 weeks.  It is also recommended that following the representation period it be submitted for examination subject to Full Council approval.

(i)         that agreement be given to the proposed responses to individual representations, as set out in the schedules attached as Appendix 1;

(ii)        that the draft Brent Development Management Policies Development Plan Document in Appendix 3 be agreed for publication for 6 weeks, and recommend that Full Council agree that the draft Plan be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination;

(iii)       that the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Growth be authorised to make further editorial changes to the document prior to it being issued for publication.

The Cabinet considered the report from the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Growth which reminded them that a previous draft of the Development Management Policies Development Plan Document was agreed by Executive 24 March 2014 and issued for consultation.  Following consideration of the consultation responses and other factors such as changes in Government policy was proposed that the Plan be amended and taken through its next steps in the adoption process.  The report provided a summary of the consultation responses, explained the main changes that were being proposed to the draft Plan and recommended that it be published and made available for representations for six weeks.  It is also recommended that following the representation period it be submitted for examination subject to Full Council approval.

Councillor McLennan (Lead Member, Housing and Development) advised that in accordance with central government guidance the amended draft Plan was shorter and consequently had a greater focus on Brent specific issues, rather than repeating general policy contained in other documents.  She also advised that the plan had had been delayed awaiting the publication of the London Plan so as to ensure consistency and drew attention to new policies now included in the Brent Plan. Andrew Donald (Strategic Director, Regeneration and Growth) reminded the Cabinet that the Plan had been submitted to and agreed by the Planning Committee.

Councillor Pavey (Deputy Leader) expressed support for retention of a policy seeking 10% of floorspace in new commercial schemes on strategic employment sites to be affordable workspace for small and medium sized enterprises needed to provide jobs. Councillor Denselow sought assurances over the inclusion of pub protection policies that sought to protect their sites from development. Andrew Donald advised that a specific pub protection policy has been added to the DMP in response to comments, discussions were on-going and further changes could be made.  Regarding affordable workspace for SMEs efforts were being made to identify a management company and to consolidate them into a larger space.

Councillor Hirani expressed support for policies to limit shisha cafés, fast food shops and to promote cycling. Councillor Pavey expressed support for policies to support public house protection as an opportunity to preserve heritage and the community. He also referred to queries raised by developers over the policy of delivering 50% affordable housing from employment land released for other uses and he questioned the viability of the policy. Andy Donald referred members to the Core Strategy, assured that the council’s position would be clear in any discussions and would not be restricted.

Regarding pub protection policy, the Cabinet heard from Sujata Aurora (local resident) that the Planning Committee in considering the Plan at its meeting on 23 July 2015 were advised that The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) had suggested amendments to the policy to make it more robust and had been advised that the suggestions from CAMRA would be reported to this meeting. Councillor Butt (Chair, Leader of the Council) assured that the policy would be opened for discussion and CAMRA would be involved. The consultation process would allow for views to be captured.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that agreement be given to the proposed responses to individual representations, as set out in the schedules attached as Appendix 1 to the report from the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Growth;

(ii)        that the draft Brent Development Management Policies Development Plan Document in Appendix 3 be agreed for publication for 6 weeks, and recommend that Full Council agree that the draft Plan be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination;

(iii)       that the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Growth be authorised to make further editorial changes to the document prior to it being issued for publication.