Issue - meetings

The Leader of the Council to submit a report seeking Cabinet approval to recommend adoption of the Design of Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to Council on the 16 December 2021.

Cabinet

1)    NOTED the comments received during the consultation period and the amendments made to Design of Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as a result;

2)    RECOMMENDED to Council that the final version of the Design of Development SPD be adopted as a formal Supplementary Planning 

Document.

Jim Worley Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery introduced the report, the purpose of which was to seek approval to recommend adoption of the Design of Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to Council on the 16 December 2021.

Mr. Worley advised that the document addressed design in setting and context, including technological use of materials and sustainability techniques etc and aimed to be constructive, setting out parameters for good design and acting as a toolkit to provide a comprehensive package of guidance to prospective developers, which would be better placed to meet Council aspirations.

The Leader commented that officers had put much work into the document.  This was guidance to compliment the Local Plan and aimed to improve design quality of development (a key aspiration of the Local Plan).  It was a positive and constructive document, which would help developers understand expectations.  Extensive internal and external consultation had resulted in a comprehensive document, assisting with all aspects of design.

Cabinet

1)    NOTED the comments received during the consultation period and the amendments made to Design of Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as a result;

2)    RECOMMENDED to Council that the final version of the Design of Development SPD be adopted as a formal Supplementary Planning 

Document.

Reasons for the recommendations:

Formal adoption of the Design of Development SPD is sought in order to support the Local Plan objective of securing improved quality of design. It provides additional guidance and information to help implement and interpret the design related policies in the Melton Local Plan. This includes but is not limited to the main design policy (D1). As design is a cross cutting theme, a number of other policies in the Melton Local Plan are also relevant to the SPD including those relating to environmental enhancements, character, heritage and transport / parking.

The six week public consultation from 10th June 2021 – 22nd July 2021 resulted in 30 responses which were generally positive with some useful additions and comments received. This feedback has been incorporated where possible within the Design of Development SPD to produce the final document.

It is considered that the finalised SPD will be a valuable tool towards achieving the aim and objective of raising the quality of design and development in the Borough.