Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

The report referred to the purpose of the draft Health Impact Assessment (HIA) SPD which was to provide supplementary guidance on policies in the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan and Cambridge Local Plan that were related to an assessment of health impacts of development.

 

Publication of the draft SPD for comment would ensure the needs and aspirations of the communities and stakeholders were understood and considered when finalising the document.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure

      i.          Agreed the draft Health Impact Assessment Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (attached at Appendix 1 of the Officer’s report) and the accompanying Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) (Appendix 2 of the Officer’s report) subject to public consultation.

     ii.          Agreed that the preparation of materials and the running of the consultation be delegated to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

   iii.          Agreed that any subsequent material amendments prior to consultation be made by the Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Chair and Opposition Spokes and that any subsequent minor amendments and editing changes that do not materially affect the content prior to consultation be delegated to the Joint Director of Planning in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Principal Planning Policy Officer. 

 

In response to Members’ questions the Principal Planning Policy Officer, the Planning Policy Manager and Deputy Director of GCSP 3C Building Control said the following:

      i.          The SPD sets out the requirements for a full HIA at one hundred plus dwellings which would cover the larger planning applications such as urban extensions.

     ii.          If developers came in slightly under this dwelling threshold there is also a catch-all threshold which could be used if the development could have a significant impact on health.

   iii.          Would consider how and if the following comments could be referenced in the SPD:

·       The report referenced healthy homes having semi-private external spaces but believed the current Local Plan stated access to private external spaces was a requirement.

·       A comment to developers on mitigation of single aspect homes.

·       Advice on future proofing for dwellings (retro fitting) for air source heat pump.

   iv.          The flowchart (p307 of the agenda pack) outlined the general HIA process to the point of submitting a planning application. The difference in screening between South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) and Cambridge City Council (CCC) was down to the adopted Local Plans. SCDC’s Local Plan was very specific regarding the threshold and requirements (twenty to one hundred dwellings)

    v.          Had recommended a higher threshold for CCC of one hundred dwellings or more as the current SCDC Local Plan could not be changed, felt that one hundred dwellings was appropriate based on Officer’s experience and knowledge and the differences between the urban and rural areas.

   vi.          There was also an opportunity to look at the threshold differently with developments with potentially significant health impacts; this allowed the threshold to be lowered if considered appropriate.

 vii.          The best process would be taken forward in the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan.

 

The Committee unanimously endorsed the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.