Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy considered the report at its meeting on 6 September 2012 and comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

(Minute 99)

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted requesting Members to approve a draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on Sustainable Transport for public consultation.  The Projects and Business Manager reported that the document had been supported by Planning Member Working Group at its meeting on 18 September and members had enquired about the involvement of Devon County Council; he confirmed that relevant County officers had been consulted during preparation of the draft.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy considered the report at their meeting on 6 September 2012 and their comments were noted.

The Portfolio Holder Sustainable Development and Transport commended the positive impact of Supplementary Planning Documents and the clarity of the guidance. 

Members welcomed the identification of the infrastructure needs of the various strategic allocations set out in site specific Masterplans. In response to a query regarding car clubs, the Projects and Business Manager reported that the Council had no financial involvement other than Section 106 contributions from developers and the car club in Exeter operated as a not-for-profit organisation.  Members commented on the adverse impact of landbanking on the economy. They were pleased to note the successful applications for the development of significant numbers of additional homes approved by Planning Committee recently.

Executive approved the draft Sustainable Transport SPD for public consultation.

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted requesting Members to approve a draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on Sustainable Transport for public consultation.  The Projects and Business Manager reported that the document had been supported by Planning Member Working Group at its meeting on 18 September and members had enquired about the involvement of Devon County Council; he confirmed that relevant County officers had been consulted during preparation of the draft.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy considered the report at their meeting on 6 September 2012 and their comments were noted.

The Portfolio Holder Sustainable Development and Transport commended the positive impact of Supplementary Planning Documents and the clarity of the guidance. 

Members welcomed the identification of the infrastructure needs of the various strategic allocations set out in site specific Masterplans. In response to a query regarding car clubs, the Projects and Business Manager reported that the Council had no financial involvement other than Section 106 contributions from developers and the car club in Exeter operated as a not-for-profit organisation.  Members commented on the adverse impact of landbanking on the economy. They were pleased to note the successful applications for the development of significant numbers of additional homes approved by Planning Committee recently.

RESOLVED that Executive approve the draft Sustainable Transport SPD for public consultation.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development – report circulated

Councillor Prowse declared a personal interest as a Member of Devon County Council.  Councillor Bull declared an interest as a Member of Devon County Council’s Highways and Traffic Orders Committee.

The Projects and Business Manager presented a report which sought Member support for the draft Supplementary Planning Document on Sustainable Transport, prior to the commencement of a public consultation exercise. The document is to form part of the emerging Local Development Framework for Exeter and has been produced to aid compliance with Objective 5 of the Core Strategy, to achieve a step change in the use of sustainable transport.  The report will also be considered by Members of the Planning Member Working Group before seeking approval of the draft for public consultation by Executive at their meeting on 2 October. 

The Projects and Business Manager responded to a number of comments:-

• Inclusion of electric vehicle charging points was just one way of reducing emissions.  The Council’s Air Quality Action Plan set out other measures and he would respond to Councillor Wardle on the specific timescales for improving air quality within the city.

• The use of priority lanes (bus lanes) could allow Heavy Goods Vehicles to maintain a higher gear when travelling through the city, thereby reducing emissions.  (A Member referred to a recent meeting of the County Council’s Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee and the Congestion Working Party, which were considering ways of reducing the number of HGV’s travelling through the city centre).

• The cycle parking standards were in some cases higher than those in the Local Plan, and in some cases lower. The new approach was based on evidence; for example the workplace standards were based on best practice at establishments like the Met Office and the Environment Agency.

• In accordance with Government policy, car parking standards were no longer maximum but indicative standards. On its own, restriction of parking could cause displacement into residential areas, as was complained of around the RD&E Hospital, although that establishment has put a number of measures in place such as its own park and ride service and considerable amounts of cycle parking.

• There had been steady growth in car club provision, with the facility available in Exe Street as part of a car free development, and also in Topsham. This was also being pursued at new developments in Monkerton and Newcourt, as part of a package of measures to encourage less car use and greater use of other means of transport.

• The Green Infrastructure Study crosses local authority boundaries with East Devon and Teignbridge District Councils.  There was a correlation between cycle routes and the green infrastructure.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy supported the report and recommended Executive to approve the draft Sustainable Transport Supplementary Planning Document for public consultation.

(Report circulated)