Issue - meetings

The Leader of the Council to submit a report seeking Cabinet approval of the Masterplan for the Melton North Sustainable Neighbourhood.

Cabinet

1)    APPROVED the Masterplan for the purposes of providing a framework to guide the consideration of future planning applications in the North Sustainable Neighbourhood area, subject to the receipt of a

           viability assessment that demonstrates its deliverability;

2)    NOTED that the approval of the Masterplan would support the delivery of the north and east sections of the Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (MMDR) in particular;

3)    NOTED that the adoption of the Masterplan was part of the package of works required to support Leicestershire County Council in accepting the Homes England Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) grant, as set out by their Cabinet on 20 July 2021.

Jim Worley, Assistant Director for Planning introduced the report, the purpose of which was to seek Cabinet approval of the Masterplan for the Melton North Sustainable Neighbourhood.

Mr. Worley advised that the Masterplan set out the scope of development (its content, schools, the road, housing and open spaces, narratives and expectations about phasing and delivery).  The Masterplan also provided assurance to Leicestershire County Council (LCC) in respect of their infrastructure investment and the Housing Infrastructure Fund award.

The Leader thanked Mr. Worley and his team for their work, noting that the document was comprehensive and represented an important step to securing the housing growth and infrastructure needed in Melton.  It provided a positive vision for the new sustainable neighbourhood (with nearly 2000 homes, schools, green spaces, community facilities, playing fields etc.) and it underpinned the significant development investment in the north and east of the Melton Mowbray Distributor Road. 

The Leader welcomed the collaborative work taking place between the Council, LCC and developers.  If approved, the Masterplan would be subject to viability testing, which was important to ensure the Masterplan was deliverable. 

Cabinet

1)    APPROVED the Masterplan for the purposes of providing a framework to guide the consideration of future planning applications in the North Sustainable Neighbourhood area, subject to the receipt of a

           viability assessment that demonstrates its deliverability;

2)    NOTED that the approval of the Masterplan would support the delivery of the north and east sections of the Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (MMDR) in particular;

3)    NOTED that the adoption of the Masterplan was part of the package of works required to support Leicestershire County Council in accepting the Homes England Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) grant, as set out by their Cabinet on 20 July 2021.

Reasons for recommendations:

The Masterplan meets the main requirements of adopted Policy SS5, supporting the wider aspirations of the Local Plan for a high quality sustainable neighbourhood, and the delivery of homes and the infrastructure required to support them.

The Masterplan has been developed as a result of close collaboration between the Council and the landowners/developers, and represents a strong, positive and coherent approach to the continued development of the North Sustainable Neighbourhood.

The adopted Masterplan will provide the assurance as required by Leicestershire County Council to ensure the delivery of housing and associated infrastructure, giving them the confidence to proceed with and ‘forward fund’ the education requirements for the Borough and the MMDR project.

Viability assessment of the Masterplan is underway, and initial outputs are expected in mid-October 2021. The County Council is keen to see progress with the Masterplan, and agrees with the approach set out at recommendation.

That the Masterplan is adopted subject to viability assessment.  The headline viability assessment and its final outputs will be shared with the County Council at the earliest possible opportunity, and the assessment will be subject to the scrutiny of both parties.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity (and Deputy Leader) to submit a report seeking Cabinet approval of the Masterplan for the remaining part (land east of Scalford Road) of the Melton North Sustainable Neighbourhood, in accordance with Policy SS5 of the adopted Melton Local Plan.

Cabinet DEFERRED consideration of the Melton North Sustainable Masterplan to a future meeting, to enable further collaboration and engagement with stakeholders.

Jim Worley, Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery advised that the Council had received a letter from Leicestershire County Council (LCC) in response to the report, emphasising concerns about the Masterplan and requesting that consideration of this be deferred, to enable engagement with LCC and other stakeholders who had not been involved in the work to date. 

Mr. Worley advised that although the Council did not agree with all the points raised by LCC, it did welcome collaboration with stakeholders, which had been sought when work on the Masterplan started.  Developers of the parcel of land outside the planned boundary had confirmed that they were satisfied with the Council’s work and had no desire to be involved in a future Masterplan.

Mr. Worley asked that Cabinet defer consideration of the Masterplan to a future meeting.

Councillor Joe Orson, Leader of the Council thanked officers for their work on the Masterplan, noting the challenges to progress and the engagement with developers and consultants to date.  The Masterplan was a key part of the Local Plan and linked in with work undertaken on the Southern Masterplan.  The collaborative work undertaken on the Southern Masterplan needed to be replicated on the Northern Masterplan and all stakeholders should commit to this.  Construction of the Melton Mowbray Distributor Road was key to development of all sites north, south and elsewhere in the town and the work undertaken with LCC could not be underestimated.

Councillor Orson noted the positive response received from developers outside the planned boundary, which was a testament to the excellent work undertaken with the private sector.

Councillor Orson added that the deferral would enable the Council to engage with LCC and consider suggestions from Members, such as that from Councillor Glancy, concerning the buffer zone around the country Park.

Cabinet DEFERRED consideration of the Melton North Sustainable Masterplan to a future meeting, to enable further collaboration and engagement with stakeholders.