Presentation by the Head of Strategic Planning and Housing
Minutes:
The Head of Strategic Planning and Housing gave a presentation to Committeeproviding an introduction to the Settlement Study.
She outlined the reasons why the Council are preparing the study, namely:
- It is a key piece of planning evidence that will inform the Spatial Strategy in the new Local Plan.
- It will inform the decisions on the future role of settlements and future settlement hierarchy.
- It will establish limits to settlements.
- It will inform allocations and policies on green spaces.
The aims of the study were identified as:
- To establish a baseline position in terms of understanding the level of economic and social infrastructure present in each settlement.
- To rank the settlements according to a range of indicators, and by doing so, to inform the definition of a future local plan settlement hierarchy.
- To understand and establish the physical boundaries of settlements, beyond which the area should be defined as countryside.
- To identify and assess sites which can be recognized as green infrastructure sites within settlements.
A definition of a “Settlement” was provided for the purposes of the study:
A place of living that exhibits a level of physical coherence…a number of dwellings and other buildings that exist in relatively close proximity to each other – for instance clustered together around a key point such as a road intersection or village green or taking a more linear form along a key line of communication (i.e. road) or an environmental feature (i.e. a river).”
It was confirmed settlements are not synonymous with parishes and their administrative boundaries or localities/communities.
An overview of the study methodology was outlined. This would be separated into four parts:
- Part A – to assess settlements and score them against identified indicators. A combined rank will score will then be created.
- Part B – to prepare settlement profiles which provides a useful summary of the nature and function of a settlement.
- Part C – to confirm the settlement boundaries.
- Part D – an audit and assessment of open spaces in the settlements
The Head of Strategic Planning and Housing confirmed that she wished to receive input from Parish Councils. The next step would be for the Council to share a list of ‘candidate’ settlements with current boundaries for Parish Councils to comment on. Parish Councils can also assist in providing data on settlement indicators.
The Head of Strategic Planning and Housing then answered questions from Committee and offered clarification on the scope of the study. it was confirmed that it was not a review of greenbelt land.
Discussion took place around the length of time that would be given to Parish/Ward Councils for their feedback. The initial recommendation of 2-3 weeks was not felt to be adequate, and suggestions were made of allowing a minimum of 6 weeks. Confirmation was given that guidance would be sent to Parish Councils along with the request for information and a further suggestion was made that information from the previous Settlement Study should be provided for reference.
It was reiterated to Committee that Ribble Valley Borough Council want to engage with Parish Councils, but it was important that the preparation of the study should not be delayed. The Chief Executive also confirmed that there is a Local Plan in place whereby settlements are identified. Essentially, Parish Councils are being asked to check whether these have changed at all and whether there are any other to be considered. A lot of the information required is of a factual nature, which in the smaller areas should be quite straightforward.
The Chief Executive reiterated that the most important thing is to make sure that the Council puts the new Local Plan in place as soon as possible and confirmed that there will be consultation throughout the process.