Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive and Policy and Projects Manager presented the revised Dover District Council Local Development Scheme (LDS) to the Committee which had been approved by Cabinet at its meeting on 14 May 2018.

The LDS set out the timetable for the production of key planning documents that would form part of the District’s Local Plan. The LDS superseded the previous LDS published on 4 September 2017 and was updated to take into account changes to the preparation, consultation and adoption of: the District Local Plan and work on the Dover Waterfront; Statement of Community Involvement; and a number of Conservation Area Character Appraisals.

A series of Local Plan workshops were due to take place in the Summer/Autumn 2018 with statutory agencies, Town/Parish Councils and stakeholders in order to assist officers with the preparation of the Draft Local Plan. Consultation on the draft Local Plan was due to commence in July/August 2019. Members were invited to provide officers with their suggestions for stakeholders to consult with and to provide suggestions for deposit points for hard copies of the consultation for public inspection.

An update to the report was provided outlining the current position of the studies that would be used to compile the Evidence Base for the Local Plan. Members considered the North Deal Transport and Access Study and raised their concerns surrounding the current position of infrastructure in the area which included: sewerage and drainage; power supply provision and broadband. Members were of the opinion that the current infrastructure was not sustainable for any future developments. Members discussed the previous flooding at Albert Road and the residents’ concerns for further flooding. Whilst officers acknowledged the infrastructure pressures, these were pressures across all of Kent and not unique to the Dover District and developers had the right to connect to the existing drainage system due to legislation.

RESOLVED:     (a)       That Southern Water be invited to a meeting of the Scrutiny (Community and Regeneration) Committee to discuss Albert Road, Deal and the long term infrastructure needs.

                          (b)       That Dover District Council Officers also be invited.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Built Environment

It was agreed that the revised Local Development Scheme, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved and brought into force.