Issue - meetings

This report advises the Committee that the proposed submission Local Development Framework Core Strategy and associated changes to the adopted Proposals Map are subject to a six week period of public consultation that commenced on 1st October 2010.

The report notes that after consideration of representations received during public consultation, the Core Strategy will be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination expected in Spring 2011.

The Committee gave consideration to the Council’s proposed submission Local Development Framework Core Strategy and associated changes to the adopted Proposals Map.

Members noted that the Core Strategy was a key part of the Local Development Framework which would be used, together with the London Plan, to help shape the borough, deliver regeneration and determine individual planning applications. The Core Strategy set out the Council’s vision to create a borough of opportunity for all by 2031 and contained strategic objectives and policies for the regeneration of Hammersmith & Fulham over a 20 year period. It outlined a programme for regeneration with indicative targets for homes and jobs in five areas, namely the White City Opportunity Area, North Fulham Regeneration Area and Opportunity Area, Hammersmith Town Centre and Riverside, South Fulham Riverside and Old Oak Common and Hythe Road.

The Core Strategy also included borough wide policies on matters such as housing supply, with a minimum housing target of 615 additional dwellings a year, and affordable housing, where the borough wide target was for 40% of all additional dwellings to be affordable. There were also policies on issues such as local employment, community facilities, open space and design and conservation, together with a schedule of social and physical infrastructure that would be required to support the proposed growth.

The proposed submission Core Strategy had been approved by Council in September and the document was now subject to a six week period of public consultation. Following submission to the Secretary of State it would be examined in public by an independent Planning Inspector. The document was scheduled to be adopted in late 2011.

Following a presentation on the Strategy and summary of the regeneration area proposals by Pat Cox, Head of Policy and Spatial Planning, the Chairman enquired why the Strategy did not address space and amenity standards in an effort to manage the trend towards reductions in the size of accommodation. Pat Cox informed the Committee that detailed standards and guidance on best practice of this type had been issued by the Mayor of London and would be observed in the absence of local provision. In response to a further question from the Chairman she confirmed that the Mayor had undertaken research in to the impact of space standards on living habits and the guidance took account of the findings.

In response to a question from Councillor Rachel Ford, Pat Cox confirmed that there had been an increase in the number of applications for student blocks, reflecting London wide trends. This was likely to be driven by the more attractive profit margins that they now offered over residential developments. Student housing projects would be most appropriately located in areas where it did not impact on neighbouring residential homes.

Councillor Peter Tobias asked about the impact of climate change on the proposals. He was informed that one of the principal issues was expected to be an increase in surface water flooding as a result of heavier rainfall patterns, largely as a result of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25

This report seeks approval to the proposed submission Local Development Framework Core Strategy (appendix 1) and associated changes to the adopted Proposals Map (appendix 2) with a view that public consultation on the documents to be carried out for a six week period commencing in October 2010.

The report notes that after consideration of representations received during public consultation, the Core Strategy will be submitted to the Secretary of State along with a number of other submission documents identified in the Regulations for independent examination expected in Spring 2011.

7.12pm - The report and recommendation was formally moved for adoption by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment and Asset Management, Councillor Nicholas Botterill.

Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Stephen Cowan, Andrew Jones, Daryl Brown, Michael Cartwright, PJ Murphy, Wesley Harcourt, Lisa Homan and Dame Sally Powell (for the Opposition) and Councillors Nicholas Botterill, Mark Loveday and Stephen Greenhalgh (for the Administration).

The report and recommendation was put to the vote:

            FOR                            24

            AGAINST                   15

            ABSTENTIONS         0

The report and recommendation was declared CARRIED.

8.10pm RESOLVED:

(1)    That the proposed submission Local Development Framework Core Strategy (Appendix 1 of the report) and changes to the Proposals Map (Appendix 2 of the report), with a view that the documents and other associated submission documents required by the Town and Country Planning Regulations are made available for 6 weeks for public consultation commencing on 1 October 2010 or as soon thereafter, be approved; and

(2)    That the Director of Environment in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Environment, is authorised to approve any technical and other minor amendments to the submission documents:

(a)    before public consultation; and

(b)    after, or in response to, public consultation, and before submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination.