Future Dursley Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP)

Minutes of Steering Group Meeting

7pm 10 August 2016

Present: Jonathan Bird, Chair and Dursley Resident, Councillor Sue Creswick, Councillor Neil Grecian, Councillor Wendy Thomas, Tina and Magnus Carter (Cam Residents), Anita Gambie (Dursley Town Council).

  1. Apologies for absence

Krystyna Dembny (Dursley Resident), Mike Johnson (Dursley Resident), Nick Organ (Dursley Resident), Gayle Collins (Dursley Resident), Councillor Mel Laybourne, Councillor Clare Nelmes.

  1. Minutes from 13 July 2016

The Minutes were agreed.

  1. Matters arising from the Minutes

Cam NDP

Jonathan had still not received access to the photos of Cam taken by a Drone. A further request had been made to Cam PC on 14 July and Anita would follow this up.

Anita is also still awaiting a response from Cam regarding a joint meeting between the two NDP groups. This would also be followed up.

Parking standards

Further advice on parking standards from Cleo at Place Studio had been circulated to SG members via email on 15 July. This has sought views on three options:

  • The NDP group might decide to try and include a policy anyway, and text at examination, worst case scenario this policy would be deleted or downgraded to an aspiration – Cleo advised against spending too much time on collating new evidence on this as it is likely to be abortive work- The group would need to build a basic case based on the review of the existing evidence.
  • A number of Neighbourhood Plans reiterate Local Plan parking standards for new development, which could be an option so that this is flagged up for developers.
  • An alternative would be to include an encouraging policy to seek developers to go beyond Local Plan minimum parking standards.

SG members who had responded to the email seeking views on the different options had favoured option 3.

Community consultation

Leah is working on updating the consultation and engagement plan and would present this to the SG at the September meeting.

Proposed development site Cambridge House

Neil had discussed this site with the Dursley District Councillor, Doina Cornell, at a meeting at the end of July. The decision had been made by the SDC to dispose of Cambridge House as the findings of the district wide review into sheltered housing had found the site to be too difficult and expensive to upgrade.

Dave Milner, Project Manager at SDC has offered to meet with Neil and Anita to discuss how the NDP group can influence the future development of this site.

  1. Review of feedback from recent consultation events against the draft vision and objectives

The results of the consultation feedback notes for the Annual Town Meeting, Annual Town Festival and Dursley Primary School were reviewed against the draft vision and objectives. It was noted that the messages in all three consultation summaries were consistent and that no completely new NDP issues had been raised.

  1. Future planned consultation events

The SG discussed the material they would like to use at the forthcoming consultation events. It was agreed to use these events as opportunities to ask attendees to comment on draft policies for the Environment and Housing themes, identify their preferred potential development sites for housing, and also ask them about the proposed Local Green Space designations.

  1. Transition Cam and Dursley Flower and Produce Show 3rd September 2016

Jonathan, Sue and Neil would be able to assist with the NDP stand at various points in the day. Other SG members were asked to let Anita know if they are able to help out on the day.

  1. Dursley Farmer’s Market 10th September 2016

The group agreed that the Farmer’s market would provide a valuable additional opportunity to consult with local residents. SG members were also asked if they would be able to help out at this.

  1. Drop-in events

Sainsbury’s Foyer was suggested as a further suitable location for consultation with Dursley residents. The group agreed to hold one morning and one early evening session for these events to try and capture a wide range of individual views.

  1. Final Economic Evidence Report

The group agreed the content for the Final Dursley Economic Evidence Report and were content to sign this off. It was noted that the information within the report provided a useful snapshot of the current local economy of the town.

The suggested questions for the Resident’s Survey would be discussed at the September meeting.

  1. Progress with NDP tasks
  1. Jonathan had not yet drafted a Foreword for the NDP.
  1. The schools project at Dursley Primary Academy had been completed.
  1. The introduction to the NDP had been drafted by Sue.
  1. Introductions for the topic themes had been completed for Economy by Mike, Transport by Wendy, Housing by Jonathan and Environment and Sustainability by Krystyna. Topic theme introductions are outstanding for Design and Services and Facilities.
  1. A review of draft policies and actions had been completed for Transport. SG members were asked again if they could review the draft policies and projects for their topics and provide comments on these.
  1. Further work on sorting the photographs is still required
  1. A draft Local Facilities Map has been prepared by SDC.
  1. Local Green Space Proformas have been completed for some of the proposed green spaces. There are six which still need to be completed.
  1. Sue had updated the Urban Design Framework 2007.
  1. Some Map and Plans have been produced.

Copies of the completed material has been sent to Place Studio via Dropbox.

  1. Planning application on proposed development site Land off Prospect Place, May Lane, Dursley (S.16/1598/FUL)

The Steering Group reviewed the plans for the above proposed development site. A Hybrid Application for a mixed used development had been submitted to SDC. The application consists of ‘Front site seeking Full Planning and Conservation Area Consent with demolition of 11 May Lane and proposed erection of 4 dwellings. Main site seeking Outline Planning Approval 12 dwellings and 3 business units’.

The SG agreed with the comments made at the Dursley Town Council Planning Meeting in September 2015.

In this the committee stated that:

  • The Councillors would like to see a transport drawing; highlighting the turning manoeuvres due to concerns with the access from May lane, access for delivery vehicles and vehicle turning.
  • The size of the business units is considered too small and that there is already a need within the town for larger units.
  • The business units should have access to the rear for deliveries.
  • There should be no vehicle access to the site from Parsonage Street
  • The development should be sympathetic to the Conservation area and the existing architecture of nearby buildings
  • The development should take into account the existing wildlife present on the site.

In the site assessment undertaken for this proposed development site it is noted that:

  • This is a vital Town Centre site which is currently underutilised.
  • The SG would like to see the site used for ‘Dwellings, Businesses, Homes for Older people, A Market Place or Car Parking’.

In discussion the following points were made:

  • All vehicle access to the site should be at the rear
  • The site is suitable for housing for older people due to its proximity to the town centre. Dwellings could be three storeys high and they could be flats.
  • Access to the site should be suitable for all including those with disabilities.
  • The site is also suitable for mixed development and car parking

The NDP group requested for their comments to be passed to SDC as part of the response from the Town Council’s Planning Committee.

  1. NDP budget

No financial commitments or expenditure had been incurred during the last month.

  1. Date and chair of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 14th September and will be chaired by Neil Grecian.

  1. Any other business

Sue proposed a solution for the Silver Street Pinch point. This issue is frequently raised during NDP discussions with Dursley Residents. The suggestion is for a speed table with a crossing to be installed as it is also a difficult place at which to cross the road. This would also slow the traffic down.

Sue noted the relevance of the Urban Design Framework 2007 and expressed a view wishing that the group had used this earlier in the preparation of evidence in support of the NDP.

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