Agenda item

1.     To agree the current version of the draft Island Planning Strategy (see appendix 1) with the changes recommended by Corporate Scrutiny Committee; namely Recommendation 2a – Protecting the Environment unless development on greenfield is absolutely necessary, Recommendation 3 – Second/Holiday homes, Recommendation 4 – Environment and Commitment to Carbon Net Zero and recommendation 5 – Freeport status, and with the addition of the paragraphs numbered 7.40 to 7.45 as set out below to be added to Policy KPS2;HA44 Newport Harbour.

2.     To recommend to Full Council that the draft Island Planning Strategy (dependant on the choice of option 1, 2 or 3) is published for the Regulation 19 period for public representation and then submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for examination; and                            

3.     To recommend to Full Council to delegate any final editorial and presentational changes to the Island Planning Strategy prior to publication and submission, to the Director of Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement, so long as they do not materially alter the intention of the version agreed by Full Council.

7.40 The Council is aware that allocated site KPS2 Newport Harbour may represent the first phase of a wider regeneration opportunity within Newport Town Centre. Working with other stakeholders, including various public sector landowners, the Council will undertake feasibility studies and technical evidence work to establish whether any opportunities can be unlocked to further enhance the county town and deliver on the Council’s regeneration aspirations.

7.41 The Council considers that a range of technical work is needed to fully understand the potential within public sector owned land, including dialogue with private landowners over the potential and future for their land. The Shaping Newport Place Plan Report and the recommendations within it will be a key piece of evidence to help inform any regeneration proposals, this includes a focus on improving public realm and making the town centre a more pleasant place to live and work.

7.42 Undertaking this work will help the Council understand whether there is the opportunity to bring forward a high quality, sustainable mixed-use regeneration scheme providing housing to meet local need, new and enhanced commercial floorspace and sustainable transport improvements whilst maintaining a strong civic presence in the town centre.

7.43 The outcome of this technical work will help to establish the possible yield (both dwellings andfloorspace), potential delivery timescale andidentify a mixof development that could be accommodated on multiple sites. It will also be necessary to consider the most appropriateplanning policy and delivery mechanism to help bring forward any proposals. Section 10 of theIPS includesreference tousing theoutcomes ofany feasibilitystudies andtechnical workto determine whichelements ofthe IPScould bereviewed toincorporate theseoutcomes.

7.44 Any such scheme would support existing and new local businesses within the town centre through increased footfall and help to achieve the aims of the Newport Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) to restore key buildings and traditional shopfronts, improve public spaces and bring unused parts of buildings back into use as homes, workplaces and community spaces, while protecting the distinctive heritage of the town. A more vibrant night-time economy could also result, benefitting not just the town centre but also potential commercial businesses within the KPS2 Newport Harbour area.

7.45 In advance of the completion of this work, a number of IPS policies including G2 (Priority Locations for Housing Development and Growth), H9 (New Housing on Previously Developed Land), E7 (Supporting and Improving our Town Centres), C7 (Delivering Locality Hubs), C8 (Facilitating a Blue Light Hub) and EV1 (Conserving and Enhancing our Historic Environment) all provide in principle support for any redevelopment proposals within the Newport Town Centre Regeneration Opportunity Area.’

The Draft Plan was the culmination of four years work, with much consultation having been undertaken and many responses received, following which some amendments had been made.

There was concern from some members that the figures in the Plan did not accord with those produced by the Office of National Statistics and it was believed that some authorities had used the ONS figures since 2014 which had been accepted by the Planning Inspector. There was also concern that the draft Plan would not solve the issue of affordability.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement explained that the methodology used by the government for the island was being questioned, and the council was looking for the ability within the Plan to be flexible to allow for changes to government policy. It was important not to delay the process as the timescale was fairly long and the longer it was left, the less ‘teeth’ the planning committee would have with regard to developments.

It was accepted that a range of housing was needed across the island and the council was trying to find solutions to the lack of rental properties available. There were currently 165 households in temporary accommodation.

The Corporate Scrutiny Committee had considered the Plan and had made further recommendations, which had resulted in amendments being made to the recommendation before Cabinet which was read out in full.

A short delay until November was suggested as the new prime minister had indicated she would abolish housing targets by amending the Levelling Up Bill, due to be published in September. However, it was believed that the Plan should now be advanced without any further delay. It was a holistic document, not only focused on housing, and may well face further amendment between Full Council and the Planning Inspector. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that decisions of the Full Council could be revisited in certain circumstances. The LGA had made clear at the recent peer review that a Plan was needed as soon as possible, and it was believed the Plan was the best available at this stage.

RESOLVED:

1.   To agree the current version of the draft Island Planning Strategy (see appendix 1) with the changes recommended by Corporate Scrutiny Committee; namely Recommendation 2a – Protecting the Environment unless development on greenfield is absolutely necessary, Recommendation 3 – Second/Holiday homes, Recommendation 4 – Environment and Commitment to Carbon Net Zero and recommendation 5 – Freeport status, and with the addition of the paragraphs numbered 7.40 to 7.45 as set out below to be added to Policy KPS2;HA44 Newport Harbour.

2.   To recommend to Full Council that the draft Island Planning Strategy (dependant on the choice of option 1, 2 or 3) is published for the Regulation 19 period for public representation and then submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for examination; and                            

3.   To recommend to Full Council to delegate any final editorial and presentational changes to the Island Planning Strategy prior to publication and submission, to the Director of Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement, so long as they do not materially alter the intention of the version agreed by Full Council.

7.40 The Council is aware that allocated site KPS2 Newport Harbour may represent the first phase of a wider regeneration opportunity within Newport Town Centre. Working with other stakeholders, including various public sector landowners, the Council will undertake feasibility studies and technical evidence work to establish whether any opportunities can be unlocked to further enhance the county town and deliver on the Council’s regeneration aspirations.

7.41 The Council considers that a range of technical work is needed to fully understand the potential within public sector owned land, including dialogue with private landowners over the potential and future for their land. The Shaping Newport Place Plan Report and the recommendations within it will be a key piece of evidence to help inform any regeneration proposals, this includes a focus on improving public realm and making the town centre a more pleasant place to live and work.

7.42 Undertaking this work will help the Council understand whether there is the opportunity to bring forward a high quality, sustainable mixed-use regeneration scheme providing housing to meet local need, new and enhanced commercial floorspace and sustainable transport improvements whilst maintaining a strong civic presence in the town centre.

7.43 The outcome of this technical work will help to establish the possible yield (both dwellings andfloorspace), potential delivery timescale andidentify a mixof development that could be accommodated on multiple sites. It will also be necessary to consider the most appropriateplanning policy and delivery mechanism to help bring forward any proposals. Section 10 of theIPS includesreference tousing theoutcomes ofany feasibilitystudies andtechnical workto determine whichelements ofthe IPScould bereviewed toincorporate theseoutcomes.

7.44 Any such scheme would support existing and new local businesses within the town centre through increased footfall and help to achieve the aims of the Newport Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) to restore key buildings and traditional shopfronts, improve public spaces and bring unused parts of buildings back into use as homes, workplaces and community spaces, while protecting the distinctive heritage of the town. A more vibrant night-time economy could also result, benefitting not just the town centre but also potential commercial businesses within the KPS2 Newport Harbour area.

7.45 In advance of the completion of this work, a number of IPS policies including G2 (Priority Locations for Housing Development and Growth), H9 (New Housing on Previously Developed Land), E7 (Supporting and Improving our Town Centres), C7 (Delivering Locality Hubs), C8 (Facilitating a Blue Light Hub) and EV1 (Conserving and Enhancing our Historic Environment) all provide in principle support for any redevelopment proposals within the Newport Town Centre Regeneration Opportunity Area.’