Agenda item

The Committee considered a report on proposals for a review to be undertaken of the Local Development Plan in accordance with Council’s decision at its meeting held on the 20^th September, 2017 (minute 10.3 refers). It was noted that the Review Report detailed the extent of the changes required to the LDP together with the review procedure to be followed in preparing a replacement LDP for a plan period up to 31^st March 2033. The Review Report had been informed by the findings of previous Annual Monitoring Reports (AMR) (including feedback on the implementation of the current LDP) and on- going surveys. It was recommended a full revision of the plan be undertaken for the following principal reasons:-

-        To ensure the revised plan was adopted prior to the expiration of the Current LDP at the end of 2021;

-        To recognise the outcomes of the AMR’s, notable where it indicated failures in the delivery of the LDP strategy, the settlement framework and the spatial distribution of growth. In that respect both the level and spatial distribution of growth needed to be considered in order to establish whether the current strategy was the most appropriate for delivering growth up to 31^st March 2033;

-        To ensure the implications of the 2014 based Local Authority Population and Household Sub-National Projections and the significant variance in population change and household requirements which were indicated were robustly considered. There was a need to understand the implications of those revised projections, and to consider them within the context of Carmarthenshire and of job creation, growth and inward investment, (including regeneration through the City Deal). To achieve that would require a review of the strategic approach set out within the LDP.

The following questions/issues were raised on the report:-

·        Reference was made to the importance of the LDP revision and a view expressed that the Executive Board should be requested to arrange for members to receive a presentation on the proposals

·        The Committee’s attention was drawn to the 15,187 Housing Provision within the existing LDP and to the Welsh Government’s projection for that to reduce to 3,000. Concern was expressed at the level of reduction and whether the WG’s projections were accurate, having regard to the level of development proposed for the county, especially in the Llanelli area with the creation of the Wellness Centre and other planned developments which, together, totalled in excess of 1800 units.

The Forward Planning Manager advised that whilst the WG’s projections were trend based and took no account of policy interventions by the Council, the Council was able to challenge those and formulate figures more appropriate for the county

The Head of Housing and Public Protection referred to the projected allocation, and advised that whilst based on demographics, it did not represent need within the county for residential/retirement homes and different types of tenure. As a local housing authority, the Council  undertook regular local housing market assessments to obtain a better understanding of the types of homes required which, was then reflected in strategic plans.

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The Forward Planning Manager expressed the view that the projected allocation understated demand within the County and a figure in the region of 8,000 residential units, spread across the county, would be more appropriate. Any allocation in the region of the revised projection could hinder development.

The Director of Regeneration and Policy reminded the Committee that a significant degree of regeneration and development occurred as a consequence of housing developments which, in turn, was re-invested within the County. It was unlikely the revised housing projection did not take account of all the regeneration projects currently proposed for the county, or the fact housebuilders were actively targeting Carmarthenshire for development.

·        Reference was made to the Council’s hierarchy for development across the county set out in four clear ‘tiers’. Whilst evidence supported the fact tiers 1 and 4 were delivering development expectations, tiers 2 and 3 were not. A view was expressed that the revised LDP should enable development to occur within all four tiers.

The Forward Planning Manager reminded the Committee that in developing the Plan the Council would need to have regard to the National Planning Policy Framework. However, the way the Plan provided for settlements and supported communities was equally important.

·        In response to a question on the proposed development master plan for Llanelli Town Centre, the Director of Regeneration and Policy advised that work was continuing on its development with a view to it being presented to the Town Forum. If the Forum’s support was forthcoming, the masterplan would be submitted to the Council for consideration.

Arising from the above, reference was made to the significant development proposals for the Wellness Centre and other developments within the area. A view was expressed that as those developments could impact on the town centre, and its infrastructure, it was imperative all elements of the masterplan dovetailed.

The Director of Regeneration and Policy advised that a Transport Strategy had been developed to assess the potential impact of such developments on the Town Centre which would be taken into consideration as part of the masterplan’s formulation and ensure the viability of any future regeneration proposals for Llanelli Town centre.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT IT BE RECOMMENDED TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD/COUNCIL: