The Development Planning Manager presented a report to the Development Control Committee on the draft vision and objectives, growth and spatial strategy options for the Bridgend Replacement Local Development Plan (LDP).

He explained that the 3 technical reports (attached as appendices A, B and C to the covering report) provided background information in respect of the draft vision and objectives, growth options and spatial strategy options proposed for the Replacement LDP.

It is intended that these technical reports will inform the ongoing pre-deposit engagement and participation in and also inform the preparation of the preferred strategy and subsequent stages of plan preparation:

•            Technical Report 1: Draft Vision and Objectives (attached as Appendix A);

•            Technical Report 2: Draft Strategic Growth Options (attached as Appendix B);

•            Technical Report 3: Draft Spatial Strategy Options (attached as Appendix C).

The next sections of the report, outlined executive summaries of the above Technical Reports, and the Development Planning Manager gave a resume of the key points of each for the benefit of Members.

The Development Planning Manager then gave a power point presentation, which gave further information on this topic as follows:-

Bridgend County Borough will continue to be transformed to become a sustainable, safe, healthy and inclusive network of communities comprising strong, interdependent, connected and cohesive settlements that can offer people:

·       The best start in life by providing effective learning environments to secure the best possible outcomes for learners;

·       Provide opportunities to reduce social and economic inequalities;

·       An improved quality of life and a healthy environment for all people living, working, visiting and relaxing in the area.

The revised LDP Vision would be delivered through 4 Strategic Objectives, ie:-

1. To create High Quality Sustainable Places (Placemaking).
2. To create Active, Healthy, Cohesive and Social communities
3. To create Productive and Enterprising Places.
4. To Protect and Enhance our Distinctive and Natural Places.

The LDP when fully established, would assist the following:-

• Increase Sustainability
• Create new, affordable homes
• Support future generations
• Assist employment opportunities
• Assist the viability of our town centres
• Help the environment
• Give regeneration opportunities
• Enhance green infrastructures
• Support Education
• Prevent inappropriate development

There were three growth options that were being looked at, and these were classified as High, Medium and Low, and Officers explained that the Medium growth option was the preferred one. Some of the key points of this option were:-

Background

•       Looked at past birth, death and migration trends

•       Translated into households, dwellings and jobs

•       Analysed a range of different scenarios to
arrive at three growth options

•       Underpin the Local Development Plan

Mid Growth Option; +505 dwellings, +266 jobs

•       Welsh Government Projection Plus Mid-Year Estimates

•       Trends from 2011/12 - 2016/17, akin to build rate

•       Higher net migration flows

•       Younger age profile, growth in 35-44 age category

•       Job creation through skilled workforce

Recommend Mid Growth Option (for the following reasons)

•       Sustainable growth levels to secure investment

•       Established working households attracted

•       Employers enticed by young, skilled workforce

•       Secure integrated affordable housing

•       Improve general market affordability via supply

Of the headline Spatial Options for growth, these were as follows, with Option 4 being recommended, on the basis of this being a hybrid of the other 3:-

Option 1 – Continuation of the existing LDP Regeneration led Strategy;

Option 2 – Public Transport Hubs and Strategic Road Corridors (growth is directed to major public transport hubs and the strategic highway network (M4)

Option 3 – Prioritise growth to the north of the M4 – a Valleys led Strategy

Option 4 – Regeneration and Sustainable Growth – led Strategy

With regards to potential sites (to secure growth), in conclusion, the Development Planning Manager confirmed the following:-

1. Preferred Strategy Document will identify potentially suitable broad areas – for strategic sites - not specific sites;
2. Further assessment however is required;
3. Chosen sites need to be Deliverable Sites.

Following the presentation, Planning Officers then responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED:                      That the Forum noted the contents of Technical Reports 1, 2 and 3 (attached as Appendices A, B and C to the report), as the basis for preparing the Preferred Strategy document that will be published for formal public consultation in October/November 2019.