Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader

RESOLVED THAT

1. the Cheltenham Plan Scope consultation document be approved for public consultation
2. authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to make any minor amendments to the document prior to consultation

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and explained that whilst the Joint Core Strategy set out strategic planning policies and proposals for Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester, a local Cheltenham Plan was necessary to take forward these strategic proposals in greater detail and would also address non-strategic planning issues of relevance to the locality. The Leader emphasised that at this stage the consultation focussed on the scope, vision and objectives of the plan. This had been discussed at the Planning and Liaison Scrutiny task group, an internal officer working group and the Cheltenham Partnership. Once the formal consultation had taken place a report would be brought back for approval by full Council.

The Leader added that a local perspective on housing density could potentially form part of the Cheltenham Plan.

The Cabinet Member Built Environment added that this was an important consultation exercise which would contribute to designing the future for planning in Cheltenham. He highlighted the range of policy areas as laid down in paragraph 8.1 of the consultation document which would be included in the plan and emphasised the significant impact this would have on the town.

RESOLVED THAT

1. the Cheltenham Plan Scope consultation document be approved for public consultation
2. authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to make any minor amendments to the document prior to consultation