Agenda item

To seek Committee approval to undertake public consultation for a period of six weeks on the draft Wood Green Supplementary Planning Document.

In a brief introduction of the report the Head of Economic Regeneration Ms Galey advised the Committee that the Wood Green Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) would form part of the Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF), and part of the framework for the development of Wood Green town centre by providing guidance on development sites, urban design and a sustainable long term vision.  Ms Galey advised that following extensive initial consultation with Members, businesses, residents associations, strategic partners and stakeholders a draft SPD has been prepared for Wood Green town centre and the key sites identified within its boundaries.  The draft document was now subject to a statutory public consultation for the duration of up to six weeks before a final version of the document was presented for adoption in September 2008.

In respect of the proposed statutory consultation process, the strategy, if approved by Committee, the statutory public consultation would be launched at The Mall shopping centre on the 19 May 2008 and thereafter, be located in the Wood Green Library for a period of 6 weeks. During this time a dedicated information stand was to be erected with an accompanying comments box to encourage all visitors to submit their views and opinions. The stand would be open fully to all members of the public during the opening hours of the library. Full details of the project, consultation and project time-scales were also provided on the dedicated website which would also be used as a portal for receiving comments from the upcoming public consultation.

The Committee commented in relation to:

·        the mix of properties proposed and whether there had been any ascertaining of the required flat sizes given the 4000/5000 people currently in temporary accommodation and their requirements;

·        the consultation process needing to address users at night time in terms of those that use the night clubs and other facilities were likely from outside the area and different to daytime users;

·         the usage of the identified space by the PCT and their requirements in terms of space.

·        Concerns at the traffic proposals through Wood Green and the filter road at the River Park House junction and the resultant difficulties with this.

In response Ms Galey advised that consultation would take place with planning services as regards to the housing requirements in terms of the recently completed housing SPD.  In terms of consultation there would be a 6 week process as well as a full weekend of consultation in the Shopping Centre. Also people could view the website and give comment.  With regard to night-time users officers would carry out a consultation with night-club owners as to usage.  In respect of the PCT there had been extensive discussion with the PCT with regard to the type of facility and requirements. However the PCT had now had advised that it was not interested in the identified site for use.  As a result officers would leave the identified as an optional usage.   In respect of the highways issues Ms Galey advised that officers from the transport service would advise on proposed changes and the impact of these as part of a traffic impact assessment.

The Chair then asked the Committee if it were in agreement.

The Legal Representative present advised the Committee that legal advice had been given to the report author the previous week regarding the proposals before the Committee. In effect this had been that whilst this Committee could agree to the process of consultation,    it was the Cabinet/Executive that had to agree and authorise the actual planning consultation. This advice was currently being clarified by the report author and should it be necessary to seek the approval of the Cabinet then the decision of this Committee would be subject to that approval.

In response to points of clarification the Committee was advised that it was able to consider the recommendations before it and agree them with additional comments, which would then be considered by the Cabinet if this course of action was required.

On a MOTIION by the Chair it was:

RESOLVED    

That the draft Wood Green Supplementary Planning Document be approved for 6 week statutory public consultation, subject to officers taking account of the following points:

·        the mix of properties proposed and whether there had been any ascertaining of the required flat sizes given the number of people currently in temporary accommodation and their housing requirements;

·        the consultation process needing to address users at night time in terms of those that use the night clubs and other facilities were likely from outside the area and different to daytime users;

·        Concerns at the traffic proposals through Wood Green and in particular the filter road at the River Park House junction and the resultant difficulties with this.