The report sought Members agreement on a formal response to the Basildon Borough Council Draft Local Plan consultation (January 2016).

A response was submitted in March to comply with the consultation deadline, subject to the approval of the Council’s Planning and Licensing Committee

The Council’s response set out general support for the Draft Local Plan’s strategic objectives and vision.   However, an objection was made on the basis that Basildon Borough failed to identify suitable and available locations for both Housing and Gypsy, Traveller and showpeople needs within the Basildon Borough.

Both Councils have a ‘duty to cooperate’ on planning issues that cross administrative boundaries, particularly strategic priorities.  These priorities include Housing and Gypsy, Traveller and Showpeople site provision.  Further work between the Councils is needed to address these issues.

Cllr McCheyne MOVED and Cllr Mynott SECONDED to agree the recommendations set out in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:

1.         Approve the response to the Basildon Draft Local Plan 2014-2034  (January 2016), as set out in Appendix A.

2.         To support on-going Duty to Cooperate work at Officer and Member level in line with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

Basildon Council has proposed to meet some of Basildon Borough’s unmet housing and Traveller need within Brentwood Borough, without the sound procedural discussion that this requires.

89% of Brentwood borough’s total land area is designated as Green Belt, which severely restricts options for new development.  In order to meet the identified objectively assessed needs of Brentwood Borough the Council is proposing limited release of Green Belt, potentially reducing Green belt Coverage in the Borough (Brentwood Draft Local Plan, January 2016).  This is in order to meet local needs, despite Green Belt and infrastructure constraints.  Adding the unmet needs of Basildon Borough is unreasonable and unjustified.

Brentwood Borough is constrained, restricting suitable and available sites for new homes, pitches or transit site provision.  For this reason Brentwood Borough Council is unable to accommodate the unmet needs of surrounding districts and object to the Basildon Draft Local Plan on this premise.

The Brentwood Draft Local plan proposed a new strategic site to provide a new self sustaining community at Dunton Hills.  The Basildon Draft Local Plan has proposed an extension to West Basildon, which would include new homes, a residential care/nursing home, Gypsy and Travellers pitches and park homes sites for non-travelling Gypsies and Travellers as well as employment land.  The relationship between these two nearby proposals will require further dialogue.

The dialogue between Basildon Borough Council and Brentwood Borough Council has been limited beyond the initial Memorandum of Understanding for Dunton Garden Suburb.

In meeting the required Duty to Cooperate, Basildon Borough Council has acknowledged matters that require ongoing cooperation including;

1     ‘Providing the right housing types and tenures to support sustainable development including sustainable economic growth within the South Essex Strategic Housing Market Area.’

2     ‘The unmet accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople.’

3     ‘Joint working with local authorities to the west of Basildon to consider the provision of a cross boundary ‘garden suburb’ in the area around Dunton

4     To move forward with proposals contained in both draft plans further dialogue will be necessary.  Brentwood Borough Council consider that the reinstatement of engagement on strategic matters with Basildon Borough Council is a priority in line with the Duty to Cooperate, particularly on issues pertinent to proposed development in the wider Dunton area.