Agenda item

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods to provide a report to ask Members to consider a request from the Developers’ of a new development to provide access to the Melton Country Park.

The Chair brought this item forward to the beginning of the meeting for the convenience of the members of the public that were in attendance.

 

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods submitted a report for Members to consider a request from the Developers of a new development to provide access to the Melton Country Park. The Development Framework Plan was attached as Appendix A.

 

Councillor Chandler asked on behalf of the owners of the site to defer due to their concerns of potential damage to land and fencing. The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods established that this matter was brought to the Committee as a land owner for request of an access point and is not influenced by planning application or progress.  Councillor Chandler abstained from further discussions regarding this item.

 

A Member requested to see a clearer map as a Development Framework showing more detail. The Chair replied that he considered the map to be clear, showing the suggestions of access in the South West corner however this is subject to change depending on the outcome of an ecological study.

 

A Member asked if another access point could increase chances of vandalism or anti-social behaviour. The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods drew Members attention to section 4.2 of the report and asked Members to look at the suggested access point in principle further to ecological study, for this reason it would be wrong to specify a definitive area. It was suggested that the matter return to this Committee after the study after approval in principle.

 

A Member suggested that there are already a sufficient number of access points that currently warrant maintenance and that another access may be one too many.

 

A Member considered points 2.1(i) and 2.1(ii) of the report to be ambiguous and called for a long term plan to be constructed for future requests for access. Also, it was suggested that the matter also be taken to the Town Area Committee.

 

A Member suggested harvesting the information of the study and consultation (11.1) and returning the approval to this Committee after addressing any concerns.

 

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods reiterated that Members were being asked to approve the access in principle before the ecological study and consultation. Otherwise, the cost of the study falls onto the Committee.

A Member agreed the need for a strategic plan and would support an ecological study being undertaken, however cannot approve in principle.

The Head of Regulatory Services advised that if Members do not agree in principle, then a 106 cannot be put in to fund the study, therefore the onus would fall on the Council to finance the study. This would be £10,000 plus associated costs.

 

The Chair clarified that agreeing access in principle would release financial responsibility.

 

The Chair sought a proposer and seconder. Members voted 2 in favour and 5 against. Councillor Chandler abstained.

 

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods advised Members to propose a difference recommendation to move forward.

 

A Member emphasised the concern over the negative implications of another access to the park.

 

A Member proposed that no access will be approved for developers until an investigative study for future strategic use of country park access has been taken.

 

A Member raised that the consultation will focus the plan once approved in principle as per 2.1(iii).

 

A Member confirmed that there is no cost to the consultation and this was a matter of course.

 

A Member suggested no action be taken until a consultation with interested parties was had.

 

The Chair noted that without approval in principle, the matter cannot move forward with any 106 request.

 

A Member proposed conducting own study and consultation for future requests and allowing developers to do own study of proposed access points.

The Chair drew Members’ attentions to immediate proposal, not long term.

A Member questioned the democracy of altering the recommendation after it had been voted against.

 

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods urged Members to resolve and direct this matter.

 

A Member proposed that current access to the Country Park is adequate and to call for a feasibility study into future developments.

 

A Member proposed to note the request of access and reserve final decision on the outcome of an ecological study and consultation, after which the matter would return to this Committee.

 

The Chair sought a proposer and seconder. Seven Members were in favour. Councillor Chandler abstained.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(1)  Members note the request for access to the Country Park by the developer, however, reserve final decision until a full ecological study of the area to determine the most appropriate access  locations and further consultation with members of the Town Area Committee and other stakeholders is undertaken.  Furthermore members instruct the Head of Communities & Neighbourhoods bring a report back after this work has been undertaken to make a final determination.

 

(2)  Members approved that the £10,000 towards the ecological study is funded from existing resources, but if officers are unable to, a formal request will be made to the Policy, Finance & Administration committee to allocate £10,000 from the Corporate Priorities Reserve in order for the Ecological study to be undertaken.