Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report on proposals for a public consultation to be undertaken in respect of proposed Housing Growth to meet the development needs of Redditch until 2030. The consultation would be undertaken jointly by Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council between 25th February 2013 and 8th April 2013.

Members were reminded reported that under the Localism Act (2011) there was a legal obligation for Local Authorities to co-operate with each other in relation to planning for sustainable development, in particular with regard to the preparation of development plan documents. The need for Redditch’s housing had been objectively established as required by the National Planning Policy Framework through the Strategic Housing Market Assessment which showed that Redditch’s housing target up to 2030 should be 6,400 dwellings. It was noted that Redditch only has the capacity to accommodate 3,000 dwellings within its area and therefore the remaining 3,400 would need to be developed in the Bromsgrove District although they would contribute to meeting Redditch’s housing target.

It was reported that officers from both Authorities had worked closely together to identify potential sites which could accommodate development and a number of sites had been closely assessed taking into account many factors. The two preferred sites which were identified within the report as the most suitable for growth were Foxlydiate (1) and Brockhill East (2).

It was appreciated that this was the beginning of the consultation process and that as well as public comments other issues would need to be taken into account as part of this process including Highways and Transport issues.

Members considered the draft consultation document attached as Appendix 1 to the report and felt that it was a very clearly written document which would assist the public with a basic understanding of the issues and how they could take part in the consultation process.

RECOMMENDED   that the Housing Growth Consultation document together with the supporting Background Evidence report and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal, be approved for joint public consultation between 25th February 2013 and 8th April 2013.