Agenda item

The New Local Plan - First Steps Engagement consultation document (Appendix A) is the first step in preparing the New Local Plan and provides the opportunity for residents, businesses and other local stakeholders to shape the New Local Plan from the beginning, identifying key issues and challenges the borough faces and preferences for various possible options.

Rob Krzyszowski, Interim Assistant Director Planning, Building Standards & Sustainability, introduced the report, as set out in the agenda.

Bryce Tudball, Planning Policy Team Manager, outlined the report and the appendices, as set out in the agenda.

Members of the Committee raised the following questions and observations on the report and appendices:-

·                It was felt that the images used on pages 58 and 128 of the gun shop were inappropriate.

·                A number of minor mistakes in the word processing of the document were identified, which needed to be amended.

·                Pages 69 – the opportunity for new leisure and cultural provision listed on page 70 should also be listed on page 69.

·                It was believed that the green space referred to on the map on page 117 was Muswell Hill golf course.

·                The number of wards identified on page 203 should be 9 and not 8 as listed.

·                It was important to be consistent with the use of either old or new Wards.

·                It was felt that the image used for the cycle superhighway should be more inclusive.

·                Could an update be given on Cross Rail 2 as it was felt that a lot of the information was based on this.

·                Pages 49 and 55 – it was felt that the colours used made it difficult to read the information in the various panels.

·                Page 97 – the use of the image used on this page could be contentious.

·                Some of the language used was not accessible for every reader. It was felt that the document was too large and should be structured in a way on the website that it could be split up into sections, to be make it more accessible.

·                Members questioned who would carry out the consultation work.

·                Page 50 – did all of the borough’s parks have a green flag now?

·                Page 51 – it was suggested that the jobs statistics from June 20 are dated and may not reflect the latest position. It was requested that the document provide more up to date information if available.

·                Page 86 – The map only identified one tube station but did not reflect the nearby tube stations in neighbouring boroughs.

·                Page 87 – The Odeon cinema had changed to an Everyman cinema around 3 years ago.

·                Page 100 – it was unclear how the Council’s proposal to secure affordable housing from developments of all size fits with the Government’s consultation proposal to increase the affordable housing threshold.

·                Page 101 – it was important that developers build affordable housing rather than accept payments in lieu; this also applies to securing carbon neutral developments rather than accepting offsets.

·                Page 203 – it was questioned where the information was sources regarding the level of deprivation in the borough.

·                It suggested that the RNLB could be used to ensure that the document was accessible.

·                Page 301 – was the BMG survey up to date?

·                Look at the issue of car free developments and workmen and women not being able to park their vans.

·                Page 42 – the Air Quality Action Plan was not listed as part of the strategies.

·                Like to see some engagement with some of the new community groups that had started in the area linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

·                The use of social media and digital advertising was questioned.

·                It was questioned whether there was the opportunity to engage with schools directly, rather than purely through a bulletin.

·                The opportunity of using any vacant premises within high streets for pop up engagement and consultation units was raised.

·                Page 301 – It was suggested that Gender Identity should be considered within the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) as well as socio-economic equalities

·                Page 209 – It was suggested that the average life expectancy was decreasing in Haringey and that the IIA may be incorrect

·                Page 210 – was there any information on the new health care provision in Muswell Hill being referred to.

·                Page 248 – it was questioned whether the street names review was still taking place.

The following was provided in response to the questions and observations from the Committee:

·                In response to the issue raised regarding Cross Rail 2, Mr Kyzyszowski explained that Local Plan right to have some mention of CR2 but should not be dependent on CR2 as happening slowly/significantly delayed from original timetable.

·                Mr Tudball acknowledged the typing errors and requests for image changes and confirmed that they would be amended.

·                In response to concerns raised regarding the size of the document, it was confirmed that a summary document of around 20-30 pages would be produced, as well as a dedicated web page with the First Steps document being split into different sections.

·                Mr Tudball confirmed that the planning policy team would carry out the consultation and that they had been engaging with the council’s corporate communications team in relation to the consultation strategy and implementation.

·                Clarification would be sought if all of the borough’s parks were green flag parks.

·                The economy sections of the document would be updated to reflect latest furlough data and number of people receiving universal credit, if available.

·                In response to a question regarding affordable housing, it was explained that the Council had set out strong opposition to the Government’s proposal to increase the affordable housing threshold. If policy and evidence was supportive the New Local Plan would seek to secure affordable housing contributions from schemes of all sizes.

·                In response to a question regarding sites being carbon neutral, Mr Krzyszowski advised that the proposed approach was for this to be done on site as a default, and the evidence base in support of this was currently being strengthened.

·                In response to a question regarding the level of deprivation within the borough, it was explained that this had been derived from the index of multiple deprivation. However, this information would be double checked.

·                It was explained that a 2018 survey had been listed as background to the Communications and Engagement Plan, as officers were keen to understand consultation data we already hold and not to ask for duplicate surveys to be carried out.

·                The transport section of the First Steps document included consideration of car free development and circumstances where this may not always be an appropriate option.

·                It was confirmed that the Lead Cabinet Member had been updated in the Foreword of the documents published for Cabinet.

·                The Air Quality Action Plan would be added to the list of strategies referenced in the First Steps Engagement document.

·                The Planning Policy Team was working up a detailed implementation plan in relation to the upcoming consultation, detailing digital advertising, pop ups etc.

·                The team were keen to engage with younger people and were looking at the best ways to do this.

·                Further clarification would be provided in relation to the Muswell Hill new health care facility.

RESOLVED that:

1)        The New Haringey Local Plan: First Steps Engagement consultation document (Appendix A) be commented on and noted;

2)        Cabinet be recommended to approve for public consultation, in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning Regulations (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, the New Haringey Local Plan: First Steps Engagement consultation document (Appendix A);

3)        Cabinet be recommended to delegate authority to the Interim Assistant Director of Planning, Building Standards and Sustainability to agree the final version of the New Haringey Local Plan: First Steps Engagement consultation document, and other supporting material to be produced for consultation purposes including the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) Scoping Report, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability to the extent that any changes to the versions approved by Cabinet are non-material (examples of changes permitted shall include minor text, layout and design changes as well as changes needed for clarification and for consultation purposes).