Agenda item

The Interim Director of Growth and Regeneration to submit a report to invite the committee to consider a request from residents of Scholars Grange (Part of the Persimmon development off Nottingham Road) to form an access from the eastern extremity of their development into the adjoin Country Park.

For the benefit of members of the public present at the meeting, the Chair brought this item forward as the first item for discussion.

The Interim Director of Growth and Regeneration submitted a report to invite the Committee to consider a request from residents of Scholars Grange (part of the Persimmon development off Nottingham Rd.) to form an access from the eastern extremity of their development into the adjoin Country Park.

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services recounted to Members that following an ecological study taken to review the best access into the Country Park as requested by residents, the preferable route was declined following liaison with the landowner. As a result, the residents have proposed an alternative route. This route crosses a tree belt and ditch but is not considered unacceptable in ecological terms.

It was noted that if recommended by Members, it would follow to decide how the access will be built and funded.

The Interim Director of Growth and Regeneration noted that there has been historic concern of the Friends of the Country Park that multiple access points into the park would compromise the integrity of the local asset. The Council had been in contact with the group to discuss their concerns and had met with them that evening. If Members were in support, it was recommended that the Friends of the Country Park contribute to further work with regards to this access. It was also confirmed that this matter would not set a precedent for future proposals.

Consequently, Members were asked to consider a third recommendation:

That the Committee delegate to the Director of Growth and Regeneration, and in consultation with the Chair of the Place Committee, agreement to amend the details of the proposed route (marked orange on the attached plan) if required, and in consultation with Friends of the Country Park.

A Member noted, in relation to 3.10 of the report, that the Friends of the Country Park has been written to and a subsequent meeting had been arranged. However, it seemed that this meeting had been held too late (the same evening as the Committee meeting) and that they may feel pressured into a decision. It was noted that the Council should be prepared to meet with groups in advance and be more pro-active. Otherwise, this could be difficult for Members and deferment was not favoured.

Residents of Scholars Grange were applauded for their actions and proposals. It was noted that Persimmon Homes marketed their homes with access to the park but this was not then followed through by them. Councillors wanted people to access the local asset without ecological damage. As such, it seemed right for Persimmon to contribute wholly.

The Chair thanked the Member for the points made.

A Member asked if the same considerations were being made in other areas of the park, such as the Taylor Wimpey development.

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services confirmed this and added that the wider study being conducted into future access proposals will help to shape other developments.

The Interim Director of Growth and Regeneration added that deferring the matter until the next Place Committee meeting would have been too late. The Friends of the Country Park were contacted in May and due to logistics the meeting was not held until today (6^th June) nonetheless the meeting was very positive and constructive. The strategic plan would be presented to this Committee in September with updates for Members. It was noted that, from this point on, the Friends of the Country Park would be fully involved in the preparation of the brief for the strategic plan and the subsequent consultation that would be carried out.

The Chair sought a proposer and seconder.

All members were in favour.

RESOLVED that

1)    The Committee agrees to the connection as proposed by residents;

2)    Authority is provided to the Director of Growth and Regeneration to undertake detailed negotiations regarding the funding of the scheme with the developers, Persimmon homes and the residents group.

3)    That the Committee delegate to the Director of Growth and Regeneration, and in consultation with the Chair of the Place Committee, agreement to amend the details of the proposed route (marked orange on the attached plan) if required, and in consultation with Friends of the Country Park.