MIDDLESBROUGH COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE REPORT
Report Title: Adoption of the Grove Hill Supplementary Planning Document
Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development
Director of Regeneration: Kevin Parkes
Date: 30 March 2010
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
- This report presents the results of the statutory consultation of the Grove Hill Area Regeneration Framework (ARF) and seeks its adoption as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Subject to approval, the SPD will then become part of the Council’s statutory planning policy.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
- It is recommended that the Executive Member endorse the recommendation that the Council adopt the ARF as an SPD, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2008.
IF THIS IS A KEY DECISION WHICH KEY DECISION TEST APPLIES?
/ It is over the financial threshold (£75,000)It has a significant impact on 2 or more wards / a
Non Key
DECISION IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE
4. For the purposes of the scrutiny call in procedure this report is
Non-urgent / a
Urgent report
BACKGROUND AND EXTERNAL CONSULTATION
5. The background to the master planning for Grove Hill, including the work carried out previously by Erimus Housing and the Council, was initially provided in two previous reports to the Executive; on the 5th August 2009 and 26th November 2009. The first report provided progress on the work carried out to date by the consultant team appointed, and gave a detailed overview of the four master plan options which had been developed, one of which was identified as the preferred option. The second report sought approval for a draft final option, to be used as a basis for the statutory period of consultation with a view to its adoption as a SPD. The report also sought approval for various other matters relating to funding and implementation mechanisms which were required to facilitate delivery.
6. The ARF process (and final document) aimed to provide a strategy for the regeneration of the Grove Hill area and had three key objectives, which are listed below:
i) to set out a strong vision to kick-start the regeneration of the neighbourhood;
ii) to provide a spatial planning framework to guide the scale, type and timing of the development; and,
iii) to detail the steps required for taking forward the regeneration framework.
This process included assessment of the existing housing market, current provision of retail and leisure, existing open space and other related neighbourhood facilities and characteristics. This assessment and analysis, along with extensive non-statutory consultation with residents and stakeholders, led to the development of four options, the preferred one of which was refined to become the draft final option. This option is discussed in detail, within the draft SPD (Appendix 1) with the remainder of this report outlining the process and outcome of the recent statutory consultation period. A copy of the draft SPD has been placed in the Members’ Resource Centre.
Consultation with Residents and Stakeholders
- The following consultation and engagement events have taken place as part of the ARF process, since the process commenced in December 2008:
i) a series of one to one home visits offered to all households within the central Grove Hill area (January 2009 and February 2010);
ii) three all day consultation drop in events (February, August and December 2009) with the December consultation day followed by the eight-week consultation period which included weekly drop-in sessions;
iii) all plans, proposals and related literature displayed in local venues to ensure local residents and business holders could view/comment at their leisure;
iv) regular newsletters to all the households within the Grove Hill area;
v) leaflets distributed (to every household) and posters put up in local venues advertising and inviting residents to attend consultation events;
vi) updates at the local community councils regarding progress on the proposals and how local people can get involved;
vii) consultation with the Grove Hill Residents’ Consultative Group; and,
viii) ongoing updates and consultation workshops with internal departments and patch based agencies and service providers (through regular meetings and one-off briefings).
- In summary, the consultation has demonstrated strong support for change, and specifically, for the range of proposals contained within the draft SPD. Many of the respondents acknowledged that the proposals clearly reflect and respond to earlier phases of community engagement. There was a strong feeling and push for early progress and implementation of the proposals. This provides a strong mandate for moving forward.
- The recent statutory consultation period ran for eight weeks and commenced on 2nd December 2009 and closed on 29th January 2010. As part of this stage, a statutory notice was placed in the Evening Gazette newspaper (Appendix 2), identifying the period of consultation and where copies of the draft SPD could be obtained. Copies and response forms were distributed to local libraries and placed in the reception area of the Civic Centre. As part of this consultation period, weekly drop-in sessions were held (as listed within Appendix 2) which had Council, Erimus Housing and Home Housing officers present to answer queries and record any comments. All plans and accompanying literature were also on display. A letter and accompanying response form were sent out to over 150 consultation bodies and other stakeholders. 16 comments were received from statutory consultees; none of which have objected to any element of the proposals.
- At the end of the consultation period, the Council had received 23 representations, from non-statutory consultees, and one petition. In summary, an analysis of the representations found that the majority of respondents were satisfied with the proposals. 12 out of the 23 representations (52% of the total) were in support of the proposals with a small number objecting (3 out of the 23 responses – 14% of the total). The petition which contained 65 signatures requested retention of The Vale. A summary of these responses has been attached to this report (as part of the Consultation Statement – Appendix 3) and, where appropriate, the draft SPD has been amended to take account of these representations. A copy of the Consultation Statement has been placed in the Members’ Resource Centre.
- A number of residents have raised concerns regarding the inclusion of their properties within the redevelopment proposals, many of whom live along The Vale. Analysis of such comments can be seen within the Consultation Statement document, along with the Council’s response. With the exception of these objections regarding The Vale, there were no other responses which constitute objections to the scheme.
- The basis for objection from the majority of those along The Vale is based on a preference for homes to be retained and invested in, rather than cleared for redevelopment. After detailed consideration and consultation with the local community and partners, it is concluded that the benefits of establishing a linear park and the impact that this would have on the wider redevelopment outweigh the negatives of clearance. In particular, the financial viability of the scheme is enhanced by incorporating the clearance of The Vale and thus makes the overall redevelopment more affordable. The proposals are part of a package of measures which will result in the step-change and vision that this area urgently needs to secure a high quality living neighbourhood.
- A number of residents along The Vale have expressed their desire to stay due to the affinity with their neighbours and their attachment to the area. The Council acknowledges this strong sense of community and will, wherever possible, take this into account when seeking to relocate residents. Each household has been allocated a relocation officer, who will work with them to ensure a new home is found which best meets their needs.
- The final stage, following Executive approval of the draft SPD, involves the Council formally adopting the document, as part of its suite of LDF documents. Once the SPD is adopted, the Council is required to issue an adoption notice, to be placed in the local press and on the Council’s website. Additionally, the newly adopted SPD will be placed in local libraries and the Civic Centre, with a copy of the adoption notice, along with the Consultation Statement (Appendix 3), a summary of representations received and the Council’s response to those representations, for a minimum period of six weeks.
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
- An initial Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken in respect of the draft SPD (see attached Appendix 4). The findings of the EIA are that the draft SPD accords with the aims and objectives of the Council’s Diversity Policy.
OPTION APPRAISAL/RISK ASSESSMENT
16. The Council has prepared a Grove Hill SPD in order to provide a strategy and planning policy framework as a basis for a delivery and implementation programme for a regenerated neighbourhood. Without such a framework, the area will continue to suffer and decline, and may start to affect adjacent stable neighbourhoods.
FINANCIAL, LEGAL AND WARD IMPLICATIONS
- Financial – provisions are made within the Council’s Working Neighbourhoods Fund for printing, consultation and other costs associated with the preparation and adoption of the SPD.
- Ward Implications – the proposals contained within the SPD are largely within the Clairville Ward but do have an impact on the Beechwood Ward. Ward Members have been regularly involved and consulted throughout the process.
19. Legal Implications – there are no direct legal implications stemming as a result of the report. Adoption of the framework within planning policy will ensure that the framework meets the Council’s wider strategic objectives and is robust enough to support any future Compulsory Purchase Order, should one be required.
RECOMMENDATIONS
20. It is recommended that the Executive Member endorse the ARF as an SPD, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2008.
REASONS
- To progress and facilitate delivery and implementation of the proposals and provide a sustainable, regenerated and vibrant neighbourhood within Grove Hill.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
The following background papers were used in the preparation of this report:
Grove Hill Draft Supplementary Planning Document, March 2010, DTZ
Grove Hill Regeneration – Report on Draft Final Option, 26 November 2009
AUTHOR: Nasreen Nazir
TEL NO: 729147
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Address:
Website: http://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk