Agenda item

Regional Spatial Strategy - Examination in Public Panel Report

Minutes:

The Working Party considered a report which set out the key findings from the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) Phase 2 revision Examination in Public (EIP) Panel Report.

The Strategic Planning Manager briefly reminded Members of the background to this item and reported that the EIP hearing sessions had taken place during May and June 2009. Officers had actively participated in two sessions and had attended and submitted evidence for other key sessions.

Members’ attention was drawn to the findings of the Panel on a number of issues which had an impact on the Bromsgrove District.

Additional Birmingham Growth

It was reported that at present additional Birmingham growth had been ruled out by the Panel. The only reference to cross boundary growth was in relation to the 700 units already agreed as part of the Longbridge Area Action Plan and therefore there was no additional growth in Bromsgrove required for Birmingham’s needs.

Accommodating Redditch Growth

Clearly this had been a key issue for this Council which had been given detailed consideration by the Panel in view of the controversy surrounding the matter. The outcome was that the overall housing figure for Redditch had increased to 7000 units with the level to be provided within Bromsgrove decreasing to 3000. The Panel had concurred with the view of this Authority that the choice of the location of development around the boundary of Redditch should be determined by the two Authorities working closely together. It was also clear that the timetables for the two Core Strategies would need to be closely aligned.

It was also noted that the Panel had concluded that the area around Studley could take housing growth without having a significant impact on rural character and had recommended that further work be undertaken to improving the A435 south east of Redditch in order to open up the possible growth in this area.

Bromsgrove’s Housing Allocation

It was reported that a strong case had been made to the Panel that the preferred option housing allocation for Bromsgrove of 2100 units was wholly inadequate and that the figure should be increased to enable the Council the opportunity to address the housing imbalance whilst not significantly eroding the green belt. The Panel had agreed with this view and recommended an increased housing target of 4000 units, with reference being made to the possibility of an additional 2000 to 3000 dwellings after 2021 subject to the review of the Core Strategy.

The Panel had also endorsed and recommended to other Authorities, the Council’s proposed approach to housing supply in targeting provision at the types and sizes that would address locally generated need for small low cost houses.

The Strategic Planning Manager also referred to other significant recommendations from the Panel which were set out in section 3.21 of the report.

It was reported that the findings of the Panel would now be reviewed by the Government Office West Midlands and the Department for Communities and Local Government and it was anticipated any proposed changes to these findings would be published for consultation by the end of 2009. It was intended to report to the Working Party further when this information had been received.

Members expressed their appreciation of the work undertaken by Officers in the preparation and presentation of the Council’s case to the EIP which had led to the outcomes reported.

RESOLVED:

(a) that the report be noted; and

(b) that thanks be expressed to Officers for the work which had been undertaken in developing and presenting the evidence to the EIP.

Supporting documents:

RSS Examination in Public Report, item 6. PDF 128 KB