Invitees:

Mark Shephard – Chief Executive;

Jonathan Parsons – Group Manager - Planning & Development Services;

Richard Matthams – Development Planning Manager;

Gareth Denning – Policy Team Leader

Craige Wilson – Assistant Director Primary Care, Children’s and Community Services for Merthyr & Cynon, Cwm Taf University Health Board;

Nerys Edmonds – Representative from Public Health Wales;

The Development Planning Manager presented the Bridgend Replacement Local Development Plan 2018-2033 Draft Vision & Objectives, Growth & Spatial Options report, the purpose of which was to provide background information in respect of the draft vision and objectives, growth options and spatial strategy options proposed for the Replacement Local Development Plan.

The Committee were advised that the Bridgend Replacement Local Development Plan (LDP) is a high level strategy document which must be prepared by the Council.  In order to tackle key issues and guide and manage future development, the LDPs vision and objectives need to be revisited to ensure they remain relevant to local needs and aspirations.

The Senior Development Planning Officer presented 3 Strategic Growth options, Low, Mid and High – each option outlining dwelling requirements, what employment provision it could potentially generate, along with the achievability of each option.  He specified that the evidence suggests that the most appropriate growth option would be mid, which would mean a continuation of the types of build rates seen over the last five years.

On the subject of housing the Committee queried how the size and type of dwelling is considered prior to development and observed that there was no reference to Bridgend County Borough Council’s Empty Housing Strategy within the LDP and suggested that both Strategy and Plan should be worked on in conjunction with each other.  Members were reassured that the Empty Housing Strategy is taken into account and the size of dwelling would be calculated based on evidence.

The Committee were advised that in addition to setting out the level of growth needed over the plan period, the Replacement LDP must put forward a clear spatial strategy for where this development should take place within the County Borough.  Members were informed that due to significant constraint at M4, Junction 36, Parc Derwen and Valley’s Gateway would be ruled out as areas for potential new growth.

On the subject of potential sites for development the Committee maintained that sustainable development needs to be sustainable for the community.  Members therefore highlighted the need to increase engagement with the public to gauge communities’ requirements prior to planning to develop.  In response Members were advised that target education and consultation with Town and Community Councils will be arranged where it is likely that development will take place.

A Member emphasised a worrying trend with development over the years and the lack of regeneration in isolated areas throughout the Borough.  To assist with rectifying this issue, it was suggested that a policy for small scale initiatives, such as place plans should be promoted and detailed within the LDP.

The Committee are aware and understand that development is required to take place within the Borough but Members advised that the Council need to be mindful of the potential impact development has on our other directorates such as Education and Highways and also our partners in Health and the Police.

Resolved:

The Committee highlighted the importance of effective engagement with members of the public and stated that all communities should be educated regarding the Local Development Plan processes and are then encouraged to contribute to the document.  Therefore Members recommended the following opportunities are explored to assist with promoting the processes and Plan:

• To utilise elected Members;
• To involve Communications, Marketing and Engagement;
• To specifically seek to engage with Town and Community Councils where development is likely to take place;
• To allocate additional resource for a consultant to facilitate engagement with Elected Members and members of the public.

Members recommend that a policy for small scale, community based initiatives, such as place plans should be detailed within the Local Development Plan, to assist communities create schemes that they feel would benefit the whole community.

Members request to receive and consider Bridgend Replacement Local Development Plan 2018-2033 Draft Vision & Objectives, Growth & Spatial Options at an appropriate time during the consultation process to be kept up to date on progress made.