The Executive Director of  Regeneration and Housing has submitted a report (attached) which details the conclusions of the Inspector’s Report on the examination into the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan (AAP) and proposes adoption of the plan.

Council is asked to:

1.    note the conclusions of the Inspector’s Report on the examination into the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan;

2.    adopt the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan as part of Oxford’s Local Plan; and

3.    endorse the AAP’s associated documents as part of the AAP adoption (including the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment Adoption Statement and Equalities Impact Assessment).

Council had before it a report setting out the conclusions of the Inspector’s Report on the examination into the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan and proposing adoption of the plan.

Councillor Hollingsworth thanked officers, in particular Rachel Williams, for their hard work in preparing this plan and moved the recommendations.

Council resolved to:

1.    note the conclusions of the Inspector’s Report on the examination into the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan;

2.    adopt the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan as part of Oxford’s Local Plan; and

3.    endorse the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan’s associated documents as part of the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan adoption (including the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment Adoption Statement and Equalities Impact Assessment).

See pages 153 to 230 in the main agenda.

The Head of City Development has submitted a report which seeks Council approval for the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan Proposed Submission Document for public consultation and, subject to the outcome of the consultation to submit the draft AAP to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Council is asked to:

(1)  Approve the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan Proposed Submission Document for consultation;

(2)  Approve all the supporting documentation that includes the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Equalities Impact Assessment, and Options Consultation Report (listed in Appendix 2);

(3)  Authorise the Head of City Development, in consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any necessary editorial corrections to the document, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment, and to agree the designed version before publication;

(4)  Approve the Northern Gateway AAP Proposed Submission Document as a material consideration in determining planning applications;

(5)  Following publication, authorise the Head of City Development, in consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any minor changes to the document deemed necessary as a result of the consultation, and then to formally submit the Northern Gateway AAP to the Secretary of State for examination;

(6)  Approve the proposed amendment to the Local Development Scheme.

The Head of City Development submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which sought the approval of Council for the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan Proposed Submission Document for public consultation and subject to the outcome of the consultation to submit the draft AAP to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Councillor Bob Price moved the report and following a debate Council agreed to:

(a)          Approve the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan Proposed Submission Document for consultation;

(b)          Approve all the supporting documentation that included the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Equalities Impact Assessment and Options Consultation Report;

(c)          Authorise the Head of City Development in consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any necessary editorial corrections to the document, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment, and to agree the designed version before publication;

(d)          Approve the Northern Gateway AAP Proposed Submission Document as a material consideration in determining planning applications;

(e)          Authorise, following publication, the Head of city Development, in consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any minor changes to the document deemed necessary as a result of the consultation, and then to formally submit the Northern Gateway AAP to the Secretary of State for examination;

(f)           Approve the proposed amendment to the Local Development Scheme.

The Northern Gateway Area Action Plan (AAP) Options Document is the first major stage towards producing an action plan for this important City council project. Information that is gathered through the consultation that will follow will be used to shape the Proposed Submission Document that will follow in the summer.

City Executive Board is recommended to:-

(1)  Approve the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan Options Document for consultation;

(2)  Approve the proposed amendment to the Local Development Scheme; and;

(3)  Authorise the Head of City Development, in consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any necessary editorial corrections to the document and to agree the designed version before publication

The Head of City Development submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) concerning the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan (AAP).

Councillor Colin Cook (Board Member for City Development) introduced the report and provided some background and context.

Councillor Jean Fooks addressed the Board, raising issues including traffic management, the importance of getting consultation right, and employment matters.

Rachel Williams (Principal Planning Officer) explained that this is the first stage in producing the AAP. There would be a 6 week period of consultation, involving workshops, exhibitions and leaflet drops. The consultation results are an important part of the next stage – producing the Draft Document; which would also be followed by a 6 week consultation period.  The aim was to produce the Draft AAP in the summer, and send it to the Secretary of State in September/October; following which there would be a public examination of it. Therefore, there would be several opportunities for consultation with the public.

In answer to a question, Rachel Williams confirmed that the idea of a workplace parking levy was included in the AAP options document. There was awareness of the wide traffic implications of the scheme that would necessitate close working with Oxfordshire County Council.

Officers recommended an amendment to the Options Document to include an additional option.  An additional option would be included in the section on the Green Belt South of A40, to ensure that all options are considered. 

The table on page 15 of the Options Document would be amended as follows (amendment in bold):-

Green Belt South of A40:

Resolved to:-

(1)  Approve the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan Document for consultation, with amendment as shown above;

(2)  Approve the proposed amendment to the Local Development Scheme, and;

(3)  Authorise the Head of City Development, in consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any necessary editorial corrections to the document and to agree the design version before publication.