Here we have received some answers to the questions raised during our 11th January Public Meeting (minutes of which can be found here).
(The Answers were provided by Douglas Campbell – Conservative Group Political Assistant.)
1. When will the core strategy become law?
A. It does not become law, only Parliament can pass laws. The Core Strategy is unlikely to be adopted by the Council before the summer of 2012.
2. What will happen if planning applications are submitted when the Localism Bill is only at a second reading stage and the core strategy has not been approved? How will local communities be protected against poor developments?
A. Until the Core Strategy is adopted the Local Plan remains the principle development plan document in the Borough, and as such will be accorded due weight in planning application decisions. At each successive stage of the Core Strategy the weight given to it increases, however it is for the Planning Inspector to decide how much weight should be given to it in Appeal decisions. It is important for the Council to move forward as quickly as possible with the Core Strategy to ensure decisions are taken against the most up to date assessments of housing need.
3. Why have the planning elements of the proposed Localism Bill not been included in the core strategy?
A. We have taken account of the government’s intention to abolish Regional Strategies by proposing lower housing figures in the Core Strategy based on locally derived need. We also make reference to Neighbourhood Plans. Until the Localism Bill becomes law it would be inappropriate to include more detail.
4. We are informed by our Ward Councillors that Addinsell Road/Eastbury Way are not to be opened up to Tadpole Lane as part of the core strategy. One of the arguments used is the amount of on-street parking. Is the lack of on-street parking one of the reasons for Oakhurst Way being proposed to take the traffic?
A. Oakhurst Way is an existing through route. The design of Oakhurst Way facilitates it as a potential access route to Tadpole Farm.
5. Why has the decision been made in question 4 when the current core strategy mentions this road link and there has been no formal public consultation on this version of the document? Does Cabinet agree that the road network for the Tadpole Farm area is a strategic decision that should be made after the next public consultation has been completed?
A. The Core Strategy version being considered by Cabinet will be consulted upon formally. Cabinet will decide whether or not to submit the Core Strategy for examination, including a possible Oakhurst Way access route, once representations to the consultation has been received.
6. Is Tadpole Lane going to be upgraded as a road? Who would pay for it if it was?
A. As a whole, no. The developer would pay for minor improvements to Tadpole Lane.
7. What is going to be done about the Route 45 cycle path as Tadpole Lane is the worst stretch of it?
A. The draft Core Strategy policy includes the provision that proposals will provide a link to the National Cycle Route at the Cricklade Country Way. Any development at Tadpole Farm would be expected to improve Route 45 in that area.
8. There are concerns that traffic on Oakhurst Way is already approaching an unacceptable level, especially during rush hours, without extra traffic being added. What is the risk that it will become a completely stationary queue?
A. Any capacity issues will be at the junctions either end of Oakhurst Way. The capacity therefore afforded to Oakhurst Way will be dependant on the priority given to each movement over the current predominant flow along Thamesdown Drive. The junction design to the south of Oakhurst Way is capable of taking larger flows than is currently using it. We will be assessing the relative priorities given to each movement as part of a detailed junction assessment.
9. Isn’t it time for us to tell any developers that you cannot start any new estate until all existing issues are resolved such as traffic, flooding and parking?
A. Each application has to be judged on its own merits. The fact that a developer has interests in a nearby development is immaterial. However an application must take into account cumulative impact and we would want to see such evidence as part of any application.
10. Isn’t it time to say that developers have to finish off what they started before they can start on new developments?
A. Please see the answer to question 9. The long lead in times to a development commencing means that developers will inevitable start the process of securing consent well before other sites are completed.
11. What is going to happen to the junction at Cross Lane/Hayes Knoll if the core strategy goes ahead and there is further development in the Tadpole Farm area? This is an unclassified road yet it has an average speed of 50mph.
A. The appropriateness of speed restrictions is something that would be considered in due course. There are no plans for junction improvements at this location at present and to do so may encourage the use of this route as through route to the rest of Swindon.
12. There are a lot of concerns about the safety of children on Oakhurst Way. Who is going to represent the safety of children along this road as part of the core strategy?
A. Road safety is matter for the Borough’s highways section, which comments on all applications.
13. We have heard a lot about traffic mitigation measures but what we would like is for information to be put in easy to understand terms. Please can Officers/Councillors use less technical jargon?
A. Whilst understanding the point being made and we will endeavour to not to use jargon, it is the case that we cannot be more specific until the details of the scheme is known.
(The Answers were provided by Douglas Campbell – Conservative Group Political Assistant.)
1. When will the core strategy become law?
A. It does not become law, only Parliament can pass laws. The Core Strategy is unlikely to be adopted by the Council before the summer of 2012.
2. What will happen if planning applications are submitted when the Localism Bill is only at a second reading stage and the core strategy has not been approved? How will local communities be protected against poor developments?
A. Until the Core Strategy is adopted the Local Plan remains the principle development plan document in the Borough, and as such will be accorded due weight in planning application decisions. At each successive stage of the Core Strategy the weight given to it increases, however it is for the Planning Inspector to decide how much weight should be given to it in Appeal decisions. It is important for the Council to move forward as quickly as possible with the Core Strategy to ensure decisions are taken against the most up to date assessments of housing need.
3. Why have the planning elements of the proposed Localism Bill not been included in the core strategy?
A. We have taken account of the government’s intention to abolish Regional Strategies by proposing lower housing figures in the Core Strategy based on locally derived need. We also make reference to Neighbourhood Plans. Until the Localism Bill becomes law it would be inappropriate to include more detail.
4. We are informed by our Ward Councillors that Addinsell Road/Eastbury Way are not to be opened up to Tadpole Lane as part of the core strategy. One of the arguments used is the amount of on-street parking. Is the lack of on-street parking one of the reasons for Oakhurst Way being proposed to take the traffic?
A. Oakhurst Way is an existing through route. The design of Oakhurst Way facilitates it as a potential access route to Tadpole Farm.
5. Why has the decision been made in question 4 when the current core strategy mentions this road link and there has been no formal public consultation on this version of the document? Does Cabinet agree that the road network for the Tadpole Farm area is a strategic decision that should be made after the next public consultation has been completed?
A. The Core Strategy version being considered by Cabinet will be consulted upon formally. Cabinet will decide whether or not to submit the Core Strategy for examination, including a possible Oakhurst Way access route, once representations to the consultation has been received.
6. Is Tadpole Lane going to be upgraded as a road? Who would pay for it if it was?
A. As a whole, no. The developer would pay for minor improvements to Tadpole Lane.
7. What is going to be done about the Route 45 cycle path as Tadpole Lane is the worst stretch of it?
A. The draft Core Strategy policy includes the provision that proposals will provide a link to the National Cycle Route at the Cricklade Country Way. Any development at Tadpole Farm would be expected to improve Route 45 in that area.
8. There are concerns that traffic on Oakhurst Way is already approaching an unacceptable level, especially during rush hours, without extra traffic being added. What is the risk that it will become a completely stationary queue?
A. Any capacity issues will be at the junctions either end of Oakhurst Way. The capacity therefore afforded to Oakhurst Way will be dependant on the priority given to each movement over the current predominant flow along Thamesdown Drive. The junction design to the south of Oakhurst Way is capable of taking larger flows than is currently using it. We will be assessing the relative priorities given to each movement as part of a detailed junction assessment.
9. Isn’t it time for us to tell any developers that you cannot start any new estate until all existing issues are resolved such as traffic, flooding and parking?
A. Each application has to be judged on its own merits. The fact that a developer has interests in a nearby development is immaterial. However an application must take into account cumulative impact and we would want to see such evidence as part of any application.
10. Isn’t it time to say that developers have to finish off what they started before they can start on new developments?
A. Please see the answer to question 9. The long lead in times to a development commencing means that developers will inevitable start the process of securing consent well before other sites are completed.
11. What is going to happen to the junction at Cross Lane/Hayes Knoll if the core strategy goes ahead and there is further development in the Tadpole Farm area? This is an unclassified road yet it has an average speed of 50mph.
A. The appropriateness of speed restrictions is something that would be considered in due course. There are no plans for junction improvements at this location at present and to do so may encourage the use of this route as through route to the rest of Swindon.
12. There are a lot of concerns about the safety of children on Oakhurst Way. Who is going to represent the safety of children along this road as part of the core strategy?
A. Road safety is matter for the Borough’s highways section, which comments on all applications.
13. We have heard a lot about traffic mitigation measures but what we would like is for information to be put in easy to understand terms. Please can Officers/Councillors use less technical jargon?
A. Whilst understanding the point being made and we will endeavour to not to use jargon, it is the case that we cannot be more specific until the details of the scheme is known.
