Cabinet Member for Planning
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the Suffolk Coast RAMS (2019) be approved for adoption.
Reason for Decision: The Councils are legally required to take an active approach to mitigate against the increasing pressure from residential development upon European / Habitats Sites.
The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (known as the ‘Habitats Regulations’) set out how Local Planning Authorities must deal with planning applications that are likely to have an adverse effect on European Sites. Natural England advice is that, to comply with The Regulations.
The Strategy is a means by which new residential growth can be delivered, whilst at the same time adequately protecting Suffolk’s coastal, estuarine and heathland European wildlife sites from harm that could otherwise occur because of increased recreation pressure caused through new residential development.
The Strategy identifies and costs measures necessary to mitigate recreational impacts, confirm how they will be funded and delivered , and is an approach that is in accordance with European Habitats Legislation and endorsed by Natural England. An Implementation Board will be responsible to determining how monies collected are spent.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 To not approve the Strategy and require an Ecology Report for every new residential development with site by site project based HRA requirements.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes:
In response to a question from Councillor Gould regarding the governance and administration of the scheme it was confirmed that an implementation board had been established with representatives from Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils as well as East Suffolk District Council and Ipswich Borough Council to ensure that the strategy is adhered to and implemented.
Following a discussion the Assistant Director for Sustainable Communities suggested that updates on the strategy would be included in the quarterly Cabinet Member reports to Council and monthly Member briefings. It was agreed that Recommendation 3.2 of the report would be amended to read as follows:
“That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director for Sustainable Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and the Cabinet Member for Environment to determine the method of RAMS implementation via an Implementation Board and agree suitable performance matrix.”
Councillor Burn thanked the officers involved for their work on the strategy and advised a briefing note would be circulated detailed suggestions of where the money would be spent. Councillor Burn moved the recommendations with the amendment as detailed. This was seconded by Councillor Fleming.
By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the Suffolk Coast RAMS (2019) be approved for adoption.
Reason for Decision: The Councils are legally required to take an active approach to mitigate against the increasing pressure from residential development upon European / Habitats Sites.
The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (known as the ‘Habitats Regulations’) set out how Local Planning Authorities must deal with planning applications that are likely to have an adverse effect on European Sites. Natural England advice is that, to comply with The Regulations.
The Strategy is a means by which new residential growth can be delivered, whilst at the same time adequately protecting Suffolk’s coastal, estuarine and heathland European wildlife sites from harm that could otherwise occur because of increased recreation pressure caused through new residential development.
The Strategy identifies and costs measures necessary to mitigate recreational impacts, confirm how they will be funded and delivered , and is an approach that is in accordance with European Habitats Legislation and endorsed by Natural England. An Implementation Board will be responsible to determining how monies collected are spent.
Supporting documents: