Agenda item

The Chairman invited the following to the table to speak to their presentation:

·       Ken Bean – Principal Policy Planner, Re

·       James Gummery – Principal Policy Planner, Re

Mr Bean reported that a public consultation would be held over the next seven weeks on the Draft Local Plan. This would cover multiple areas including housing, design, infrastructure and parks and was made up of 51 policies in 67 site proposals across Barnet.

The Draft Local Plan had been approved by Policy and Resources Committee and feedback was encouraged through a formal written response from the SCPB. The next stage after the first formal consultation would be the independent examination stage with the planning inspector.

Mr Bean noted that it would be helpful to have feedback on any erroneous or out-of-date information in the plan as well as expressions of support in areas that this was felt to be applicable.

Mr Gummery reported that a ‘Secured by Design’ approach had been taken in relation to the design of buildings and town centres with a view to ‘designing out’ crime. Barnet looked likely to increase its night-time economy, in line with the London Plan, but any potential significant negative impact including anti-social behaviour (ASB) was being taken into account.

The consultation end date is 16 March 2020 with adoption of the plan to begin in winter 2021.

The Chairman asked how objections would be considered on specific elements if the planning inspector would be modifying the plan. Mr Bean noted that from the start of the consultation comments would have an impact. The Core Strategy 2012 remains the extant plan until the new plan reaches adoption at the end of 2021. It would still be possible to quote policies in the former plan as the Draft Plan develops.

The Chairman commented that the housing target in the Draft Plan appeared to be higher than that recommended by the Mayor of London. Mr Bean noted that the government uses standard methodology but a panel had recommended that the Mayor of London reduce Barnet’s target as the planning inspectors had stated that it would not be deliverable. The Draft Local Plan suggested 46,000 new homes for Barnet whereas the government recommended 62,000; this figure was open to review.

The Chairman in his capacity as Brunswick Park Ward Councillor asked that outside the meeting he be provided with more information about the six sites to be developed in his Ward.

Action: Mr Bean

The Chairman asked how much the design had been discussed with the Met Police. Inspector Jason Mosely reported that developers had to liaise with a Design Out Crime Adviser (DOCA) as part of the process.

The Chairman asked about the impact on crime and mental health as there would be a significant amount of high density living. Mr Gummery stated that the plans included the Brent Cross and Colindale regeneration areas where tall buildings would be built in appropriate places. 

The Director for Children’s Social Care asked whether the new sites would attract a bigger population or would replace existing housing. Mr Gummery noted that the population had been growing for several years and this included migration into Barnet. There would be 35% affordable housing in line with the London Mayor’s requirements. The Director for Children’s Social Care enquired about additional childcare and school places. Mr Bean responded that the Infrastructure Delivery Plan was one of the key documents as part of the plan. This ensured that communities were being developed in a sustainable way. 

The Community Safety Manager proposed the following actions:

·       CCTV is an important crime deterrent and is highly dependent on appropriate infrastructure. Wireless networks could be impacted on by new buildings. He requested that this be considered so that the existing infrastructure is not negatively impacted on.

·       27,000 new jobs would be linked to the Local Plan and he asked that developers be encouraged to work with colleagues in Integrated Offender Management and other schemes.

The Chairman requested a brief report on where the Met Police had given advice and how this had helped.

Action: Mr Bean, Mr Gummery

The Board resolved to note the update.