Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received.

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning and Transport Policy Sub-Committee held on 27 June 2024 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

Councillors present at the meeting declared the following interests in their capacity as a Councillor of a Town or Parish Council or any other Local Authority:-

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three-minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

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No public questions were received.

To adopt the Puriton Neighbourhood Plan.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Planning and Transport Policy Sub-Committee RESOLVED : -

A. That the Puriton, Downend and Dunball Neighbourhood Plan be ‘made’ (adopted) as part of the Development Plan and  be used for pre-application advice, determining planning applications and any other development management purposes in the Neighbourhood Area which was the Parish of Puriton.

Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, Councillor Ros Wyke as Chair introduced Head of Planning, Alison Blom Cooper who introduced the report. The report summarised that the Puriton, Downend and Dunball Neighbourhood Plan 2019-2032 (“the Plan”) is a community led planning document which has been produced by Puriton Parish Council (as Qualifying Body).

The following were raised:

·       Councillors welcomed the report and were pleased to see it come forward as important part of the local community.

·       Councillors raised the importance of the plan and gave thanks to the officers involved and understand the effort and time to took to create the plan.

·       There were 1079 votes and 874 were in favour, representing a 81% vote in favour. Councillors were pleased to note the high outturn for voting.

·       Councillors formally gave their best wishes to the parish and the plan going forward.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Planning and Transport Policy Sub-Committee RESOLVED: -

A. That the Puriton, Downend and Dunball Neighbourhood Plan be ‘made’ (adopted) as part of the Development Plan and be used for pre-application advice, determining planning applications and any other development management purposes in the Neighbourhood Area which was the Parish of Puriton.

To review the draft Taunton Waterways Strategy and Guidance and associated supporting documents for approval for public consultation.

Councillor Dixie Darch proposed the recommendations which were seconded by Councillor Richard Wilkins

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Planning and Transport Policy Sub-Committee RESOLVED to: -

A. Approve the draft Taunton Waterways Strategy and Guidance and

associated supporting documents for public consultation.

B. Agree that the following were delegated to the Head of Planning in consultation

with the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets:

i. The screening of the Taunton Waterways Strategy and Guidance under

the European Directive 2001/42/EC (SEA Directive) and associated

Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004

(SEA Regulations), EU Habitats Directive and associated Conservation

of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, together with the production

and consultation on resultant reports should they been screened as

required.

ii. Approve and make any minor changes prior to consultation.

iii. Approve and make any amendments necessary following public

consultation and to finalise the documents.

Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Asset, Councillor Ros Wyke, As Chair introduced Jenny Clifford, Garden Town Implementation Manager to introduce the report.  The report detailed that following the designation of Taunton as a Garden Town in 2017, a Vision For Our Garden Town was adopted by Somerset West and Taunton Council in 2019. This Vision places Taunton’s waterways at the heart of the town and regeneration, seeks to make the most of them and rediscover the historic connection between the town and surrounding landscape. It is reflective of the Council's commitment to improve the quality of existing and new developments, strengthen connections between the town and the countryside through a network of green spaces, deliver a more prosperous Taunton, becoming greener and more resilient. The River Tone, its tributary waterways within the town and the Taunton and Bridgwater Canal are key elements to meet the Taunton Garden Town Vision.

The following points were raised:

·       Councillors welcomed the report and were excited that the waterways of Taunton were being showcased as a valuable asset.

·       Councillors raised concerns over funding, and that it needed to be made clear to public that this project is externally funded by the MHLHG grant

·       Councillors praised officers for their hard work and the use of forums such as garden board to gain feedback that was then built into the plan.

·       Councillors queried which flood defences were crucial within the area.

Garden Implementation Manager, Jenny Clifford responded that flood mitigation and protection is complex. To understand which project benefits which area this is a task for specialist staff which is in progress.

Councillors queried if there is resource within the council to complete this project.

Garden Implementation Manage, Jenny Clifford responded to say there is resource within the Gaarden Town team, and this funding is being finalised for the next 18 months to two years. The consultation period will help decipher resources and support required.

·       Councillors queried where the external funding streams will come from.

Garden Implementation Manager Jenny Clifford responded to say that external funding opportunities have been identified and this is targeted work going forward working in partnerships with other waterway partners.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Planning and Transport Policy SubCommittee RESOLVED to:

A. Approve the draft Taunton Waterways Strategy and Guidance and associated supporting documents for public consultation.

 B. Agree that the following were delegated to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets:
I. The screening of the Taunton Waterways Strategy and

 II. Guidance under the European Directive 2001/42/EC (SEA Directive) and associated Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (SEA Regulations), EU Habitats Directive and associated Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, together with the production and consultation on resultant reports should they been screened as required.

III. Approve and make any minor changes prior to consultation.

 IV. Approve and make any amendments necessary following public consultation and to finalise the documents.

To consult and review the Minerals Plan.

Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Asset, Councillor Ros Wyke, As Chair proposed an additional recommendation “To work closely with transport colleagues on the emerging Local Transport Plan, to ensure that the impact of quarry traffic on the local community is identified and mitigated appropriately where possible.” This was seconded by Councillor Richard Wilkins and the recommendation was carried.

Councillor  Ros Wyke proposed an amendment to the recommendations which was seconded by Councillor Dixie Darch that the recommendation to maintain a watching brief on proposed changes to plan-making process through planning reform be removed from the report.  The Sub-Committee voted on the amendment and the recommendation was carried.

Councillor  Richard Wilkins proposed the recommendations which were seconded by Councillor Dixie Darch

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Planning and Transport Policy Sub-Committee RESOLVED to:

a. Note the content of this report and endorse the conclusion herein that no

update of the Somerset Mineral Plan was required at this time.

b. Agree the following actions:

• Publish the outcome of the plan review and inform industry.

• Update the LDS to reflect the amended timescales for SMP review in

2029 (unless early review was triggered by monitoring processes).

• Through the Local Aggregate Assessment process, continue to monitor

the outcome of pending applications at Whiteball, Torr Works Blockworks

(resolution to grant permission subject to S106), Westdown Quarry

(resolution to grant subject to s106) and Moons Hill Quarry. Additionally,

monitor if any further applications were submitted which could provide

additional reserve including Whately Quarry proposals (and include in the

landbank model if required).

• Use the Mineral and Waste Planning Authority Monitoring Report

(AMR) process to monitor supply (alongside LAA process as above).

• Continue to monitor any changes in national policy, including on peat

and energy minerals, which may trigger an early plan review.

• Review the Sand and Gravel Memorandum of Understanding with

Devon County Council and Cornwall Council. Continue engagement with

Devon County Council on any forthcoming applications.

• Work with Area planning teams to raise awareness and understanding

of SMP policies and how these policies were relevant to planning

applications considered by area planning teams (e.g. mineral safeguarding

areas).

• Update mapping layers and text on website – PEDL Licenses, Coal Authority etc

To work closely with transport colleagues on the emerging Local Transport Plan, to ensure that the impact of quarry traffic on the local community was identified and mitigated appropriately where possible.

Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Asset, Councillor Ros Wyke, As Chair introduced Helen Vittery, Service Manager Development and Planning who introduced the report. The report detailed that The Mineral and Waste Policy Team have concluded a review of the current Somerset Mineral Plan (SMP) which was adopted in 2015 and is due for review every five years.

The following points were raised:

·       Councillors noted that they were pleased officers were worked in partnership with DEFRA over the policy changes.

·       Councillors raised concerns over the objections and the volume of stone being removed from quarries for a prolonged period of time.

Service Manager Development and Planning, Helen Vittery responded to say that the quarries have a licence to do the removal and it is critical to the economy of the country not just the county that this continues.

·       Councillors queried how reactive the policy/team can be to national changes.

Service Manager Development and Planning, Helen Vittery responded to say that it national changes will not impact the policy.

Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Asset, Councillor Ros Wyke, As Chair proposed an additional recommendation “To work closely with transport colleagues on the emerging Local Transport Plan, to ensure that the impact of quarry traffic on the local community is identified and mitigated appropriately where possible.” This was seconded by Councillor Richard Wilkins and the recommendation was carried.

Councillor Richard Wilkins proposed the recommendations which were seconded by Councillor Dixie Darch.

 Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Planning and Transport Policy Sub[1]Committee RESOLVED to:

 A. Note the content of this report and endorse the conclusion herein that no update of the Somerset Mineral Plan was required at this time.

B. Agree the following actions:

• Publish the outcome of the plan review and inform industry.

 • Update the LDS to reflect the amended timescales for SMP review in 2029 (unless early review was triggered by monitoring processes).

 • Through the Local Aggregate Assessment process, continue to monitor the outcome of pending applications at Whiteball, Torr Works Blockworks (resolution to grant permission subject to S106), Westdown Quarry (resolution to grant subject to s106) and Moons Hill Quarry. Additionally, monitor if any further applications were submitted which could provide include in the landbank model if required).

 • Use the Mineral and Waste Planning Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) process to monitor supply (alongside LAA process as above). •Continue to monitor any changes in national policy, including on peat and energy minerals, which may trigger an early plan review.

 • Review the Sand and Gravel Memorandum of Understanding with Devon County Council and Cornwall Council. Continue engagement with Devon County Council on any forthcoming applications.

 • Work with Area planning teams to raise awareness and understanding of SMP policies and how these policies were relevant to planning applications considered by area planning teams (e.g. mineral safeguarding areas).

• Update mapping layers and text on website – PEDL Licenses, Coal Authority etc.

 • To work closely with transport colleagues on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

To note the forward plan.

The Head of Planning, Alison Blom Cooper, introduced the forward plan. The sub-committee noted the following items due to be reported at the next meeting on Thursday 8^th October:

·       Cannington Neighbourhood Plan

·       Ilminster Neighbourhood Plan to be made

·       CIL spending priorities report

·       Local Plan 6 monthly update report

·       Local Transport Plan – draft for consultation.