to consider the following question(s) received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8.
(a) From Cllr Hodgson to Cllr Hicks, lead Executive Member for the Joint Local Plan
‘Can the controversial proposed development site T3 in the centre of Totnes be removed from the Joint Local Plan with the provision that Totnes Neighbourhood Plan group is allowed to propose how appropriate areas or zones of this site should be redeveloped.’
(b) From Cllr Baldry to Cllr Hicks, lead Executive Member for the Joint Local Plan
‘You are quoted in the Press as saying “Sherford is about building local homes for local people”. Is this an accurate report? If it is in what legal way do you see it possible to enforce that Sherford dwellings are occupied/owned by local people?’
(Please note: the following statement issued by Cllr Hicks, in reply to questions raised at a recent Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting, stated the following and is to be read in conjunction with questions (c), (d), (e) and (f)):
“Because it has been included in various iterations of the Local Plan for some years, the planning judgement is that removing T3 from the allocated sites will leave it vulnerable to approach by any developer”
(c) From Cllr Birch to Cllr Hicks, lead Executive Member for the Joint Local Plan
‘What situation is envisaged whereby the T3 Area becomes ‘vulnerable to approach by any developer’ bearing in mind the fact that the area is owned by SHDC?’
(d) From Cllr Birch to Cllr Hicks, lead Executive Member for the Joint Local Plan
‘Has the District Council’s officers held any discussions with developers and/or their agents concerning:
the possible future development of the T3 area or any parts of it? and
the possible future sale of the T3 area or parts of it?
(e) From Cllr Birch to Cllr Hicks, lead Executive Member for the Joint Local Plan
‘Has the District Council’s officers held any discussions with commercial property agents and/or residential estate agents concerning:
the possible future sale of the T3 area or any parts of it? and
the valuation of the T3 area or parts of it?’
(f) From Cllr Birch to Cllr Hicks, lead Executive Member for the Joint Local Plan
‘Are there any internal council reports prepared by officers dealing with the possible future sale of the T3 area or part of it?
Minutes:
57/16
It was noted that six questions had been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8.
The Chairman advised that, since Cllr Hicks had forwarded his apologies to this meeting, he would respond to question (a); Cllr Tucker would reply to question (b); and Cllr Pearce would respond to questions (c), (d), (e) and (f)
From Cllr Hodgson to Cllr Hicks, lead Executive Member for the Joint Local Plan
(a) ‘Can the controversial proposed development site T3 in the centre of Totnes be removed from the Joint Local Plan with the provision that Totnes Neighbourhood Plan group is allowed to propose how appropriate areas or zones of this site should be redeveloped?
At this point, the Chairman informed that, since this question would potentially pre-empt the debate on the motion submitted by Cllrs Rowe and Holway later in the meeting, he had been advised that it would be inappropriate for a response to be given to this question at this time.
From Cllr Baldry to Cllr Hicks, lead Executive Member for the Joint Local Plan
(b) ‘You are quoted in the Press as saying “Sherford is about building local homes for local people”. Is this an accurate report? If it is in what legal way do you see it possible to enforce that Sherford dwellings are occupied/owned by local people?’
In response, Cllr Tucker advised that a minimum of 1,000 affordable and rental houses would be built at Sherford. However, those properties that were ultimately sold on the open market could be purchased by anyone.
In his supplementary question, Cllr Baldry stated that this was clearly an incorrect statement drafted by the Communications Team and he urged Executive Members to ensure that comments that were attributed to them were factually correct.
From Cllr Birch to Cllr Hicks, lead Executive Member for the Joint Local Plan
(c) ‘What situation is envisaged whereby the T3 Area becomes ‘vulnerable to approach by any developer’ bearing in mind the fact that the area is owned by SHDC?’
In response, Cllr Pearce advised that, as Cllr Birch would no doubt be aware, any developer could apply for permission on any land regardless of whether they owned it or not. It was necessary only to serve a Certificate B on the registered owner before submitting. Having said that, Cllr Pearce did assure Cllr Birch that the Council had no intention of acceding to any approach by any developer on this site.
In reply to a supplementary question regarding any such future plans for this Area, Cllr Pearce reiterated that she was personally not aware of any future intention to accede to any approach from any developer on this site.
From Cllr Birch to Cllr Hicks, lead Executive Member for the Joint Local Plan
(d) ‘Has the District Council’s officers held any discussions with developers and/or their agents concerning:
(i) the possible future development of the T3 area or any parts of it? and
(ii)the possible future sale of the T3 area or parts of it?’
In reply, Cllr Pearce informed that there had been no discussions between officers and any prospective purchasers. The Council presently had no intention of selling any part of this land nor for the moment did it envisage any such sale.
In reply to a supplementary question regarding the future plans for this Area, Cllr Pearce reiterated that she was personally not aware of any future intention to hold any such discussions.
From Cllr Birch to Cllr Hicks, lead Executive Member for the Joint Local Plan
(e) ‘Has the District Council’s officers held any discussions with commercial property agents and/or residential estate agents concerning:
(i) the possible future sale of the T3 area or any parts of it? and
(ii)the valuation of the T3 area or parts of it?’
In reply, Cllr Pearce informed that there had been no discussions between officers and any prospective purchasers. The Council presently had no intention of selling any part of this land nor for the moment did it envisage any such sale.
In reply to a supplementary question regarding any future proposals for this Area, Cllr Pearce reiterated that she was personally not aware of any future intention to hold any such discussions.
From Cllr Birch to Cllr Hicks, lead Executive Member for the Joint Local Plan
(f) ‘Are there any internal council reports prepared by officers dealing with the possible future sale of the T3 area or part of it?
In response, Cllr Pearce confirmed that, to the knowledge of the officers presently working for the Council, there had been no such reports. In addition, no such reports had been able to be traced.
Cllr Birch proceeded to ask a supplementary question regarding whether or not there was a likelihood of any such internal reports being produced in the future. In reply, Cllr Pearce advised that, at this time, she was not aware of any intention for any such reports to be prepared.