Agenda pack
North Lanarkshire Council · 30 June 2022
Back to Planning Committee — 30 June 2022 and its agenda
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Our Ref: Your Ref: Contact: Tel: Fax: E-Mail: Date: Mark Hamill 07811294702 hamillm@northlan.gov.uk 21 Jun 2022 Members of the Planning Committee Chief Executive’s Office Archie Aitken Head of Legal & Democratic Solutions Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street Motherwell ML1 1AB DX 571701, Motherwell 2 www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk Notice is given that a hybrid Meeting of the PLANNING COMMITTEE is to be held via MS Teams on Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 10:00 am which you are requested to attend. The agenda of business is attached. Head of Legal and Democratic Solutions Members : Councillors: B Baudo, A Beveridge, G Brennan, B Burgess, A Campbell, M Coyle, S Coyle, G Currie, A Duffy-Lawson, T Fisher, T Johnston, G Lennon, J Logue, H Loughran, F MacGregor, P McDade, C McManus, F McNally, M McPake, D Robb, N Shevlin, A Smith, A Stubbs, L Stubbs and G Woods. Page 1 of 85
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AGENDA (1) Declarations of Interest in terms of the Ethical Standards in Public Life Etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (2) Planning Applications Index (page 5 - 54) Submit Planning Applications Index (copy herewith) (3) Notice of Planning and Enforcement Appeals Lodged (page 55 - 56) Submit report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration advising of three planning and enforcement appeals lodged (copy herewith) (4) Planning and Enforcement Appeals Decisions (page 57 - 58) Submit report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration advising of two planning and enforcement appeals decisions (copy herewith) (5) North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Update and Development Plan Scheme 2022 (page 59 - 85) Submit report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration providing an update on the preparation of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan and seeking approval of the Development Plan Scheme 2022, which details the revised timetable for the Plan. (copy herewith) Page 3 of 85
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North Lanarkshire Council Planning Applications for consideration of Planning Committee Committee Date: 30-06-2022 Ordnance Survey maps reproduced from Ordnance Survey with permission of HMSO Crown Copyright reserved AGENDA ITEM 2 Page 5 of 85
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APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING COMMITTEE 30th June 2022 Page No Application No Applicant Development/Site Recommendation 7 - 20 20/01550/FUL Mr Willie Brown Industrial development (Class 4/5) with associated roads, service areas and landscaping, etc. Site East OfBiggar Road Chapelhall Airdrie ML6 8XP Refuse 21 - 26 22/00057/FUL Mr Craig Cameron Erection of 2 metre high fence around dwellinghouse curtilage 27 Crathie Drive Glenmavis Airdrie ML6 0NR Grant 27 - 37 22/00156/S42 Advance Construction (Scotland) Ltd Residential Development and Associated Infrastructure (in principle) (Section 42 application to vary condition 31 of planning permission 17/01248/PPP, to adjust the timing and sequencing of the construction of the proposed access roundabouts) Land East Of Main Street Newmains Grant 38 - 46 47 - 53 22/00175/PPP 22/00261/FUL Mr & Mrs Tony & Khalda Stevenson Buchanan Tower Ltd Two dwellinghouses (in principle) Site At Main Street Chapelhall Change of use to film studio (Class 5) Buchanan Tower Buchanan Business Park Cumbernauld Road Stepps G33 6HZ Grant Grant Page 6 of 85
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Application No: 20/01550/FUL Proposed Development: Industrial development (Class 4/5) with associated roads, service areas and landscaping, etc. Site Address: Site East of Biggar Road Chapelhall Airdrie North Lanarkshire ML6 8XP Date Registered: 14th May 2021 Applicant: Mr Willie Brown WB Properties Scotland Ltd. Daldraco 3 Birniehill Road Hareshaw Cleland ML1 5GX Agent: N/A Application Level: Local Application Contrary to Development Plan: Yes Ward: 12 Airdrie South: Michael Coyle, Paul Di Mascio, Michael McBride, Sandy Watson Representations: 3 letters of representation received. Recommendation: Refuse Reasoned Justification: The proposal is for a type of development which is incompatible with the high amenity / specialised business use policies of the adopted and emerging development plans, and there is no justification for the removal of the site from the Green Belt. The proposal represents an unacceptable form of development within the Green Belt and would detract from of its rural character and appearance and from the setting of Chapelhall. No locational need for or significant benefit from the development have been demonstrated, and the site is not considered to be an appropriate location for business or industrial development of the type proposed. Page 7 of 85
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Reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown Copyright and database right 2009. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100023396. Planning Application: 20/01550/FUL Name (of applicant): Mr Willie Brown Site Address: Site East of Biggar Road, Chapelhall, Airdrie, ML6 8XP Development: Industrial development (Class 4/5) with associated roads, service areas and landscaping, etc. Page 8 of 85
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Recommendation: Refuse for the Following Reasons:- 1. The proposal is contrary to policy EDI1 B3 of the adopted North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012 and to policy PROM LOC2 of the emerging North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan in that it would result in piecemeal development of a peripheral part of the High Amenity Location / Specialised Business Site for an inappropriate type of development which would not deliver any significant economic benefits to the area. The proposal therefore does not justify the removal of the site from the Green Belt. 2. The proposal is contrary to policy NBE3 A of the adopted North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012 and to policies PP4 and AD4 of the emerging North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan in that it would result in an inappropriate form of urban development within the Green Belt for which no locational requirement, need or overriding public benefit has been demonstrated, and the development would detract from the appearance and rural character of this part of the Green Belt and from the landscape setting of Chapelhall. 3. The proposal is contrary to policies DSP2 and DSP4 of the adopted North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012 and to policies EDQ1 and EDQ3 of the emerging North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan as this greenfield location detached from the existing urban area is not appropriate for a business/industry development of the type proposed, its development as such would undermine regeneration of existing industrial areas and the delivery of new industrial premises within strategical industrial locations, the proposal would represent an unplanned and piecemeal expansion of the urban area with inadequate road and drainage infrastructure, and the development would detract from the appearance of the area due to its prominent location and the absence of landscaping. Background Papers: Consultation Responses: Coal Authority – response dated 24 May 2021 NLC Greenspace – response dated 25 May 2021 NLC Environmental Health / Pollution Control – response dated 26 May 2021 NLC Traffic & Transportation – response dated 29 June 2021 Scottish Water – response dated 18 May 2021 Transport Scotland – response dated 28 May 2021 Contact Information: Any person wishing to inspect these documents should contact Keith Bathgate at Planningenquiry@northland.gov.uk Report Date: 17th June 2022 Page 9 of 85
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APPLICATION NO. 20/01550/FUL REPORT 1. Introduction and Site Description 1.1 This application was previously considered by the Planning Committee on 14 October 2021, when it was agreed to defer the decision in order to confirm the nature of the representations and of previous correspondence between the applicant and the Planning Service. However, the applicant subsequently submitted plans for an entirely revised proposal with the result that description of development has changed and re-notification of neighbours was necessary. It is therefore expedient to provide an updated comprehensive report, rather than an addendum to the previous report. 1.2 The application relates to a 1.93ha area of unused greenfield agricultural land to the south of Chapelhall. The site comprises a rectangle of unkempt grass measuring approximately 270m by 75m which runs along the northern side of the M8/A8 motorway corridor a short distance to the west of M8 Junction 6. In addition to the main roads to the south, the site borders a pair of cottages (“Rowantree Row”) to its west, a Transport Scotland surface water attenuation pond to the east, and further unused agricultural land to its north, between the application site and Chapelhall. Part of the neighbouring land to the north east has planning permission in principle for a mixed-use roadside commercial development. Access to the site is via a truncated section of the former Biggar Road which is now a private access serving the site and Rowantree Row. Biggar Road joins the public road network at Lancaster Avenue around 200m north of the application site. The appeal site undulates slightly, but overall it falls gently from west to east. The trunk roads are elevated above the site on an embankment, whilst Rowantree Row is partly screened from the site by the embankment of a disused section of Biggar Road. 2. Proposed Development 2.1 The application seeks full planning permission to develop the site for Class 4 / 5 (business / general industrial) use. One large industrial building measuring approximately 84m by 18m by 7m high with a net floor area of 1525sq/m would be constructed in the south western part of the site, with the balance of the site being used for yard space, a sales area, and a car park with 50 spaces. The building would have a monopitch roof featuring solar panels, and would include a glazed entrance / office corner facing the site access. It would back onto the A8 / M8 road corridor, from which it would be separated by a narrow service yard. Access to the site would be by way of an extension of the private Biggar Road. Foul drainage disposal would be by way of a private on-site biodisc sewage treatment plant and soakaway, and by a soakaway for the surface water. The application was initially speculative but the applicant has since identified a prospective occupier for the development, and the revised proposal has been designed around their requirements. The details of the prospective occupier are commercially sensitive, but they are understood to be a plant / equipment dealership chain seeking to relocate their local dealership to larger and more modern premises. 3. Applicant’s Supporting Information 3.1 In addition to the application form and plans, the application is supported by a planning statement, a socio-economic statement, a mineral stability risk assessment, a drainage strategy and an ecology report. The applicant has also submitted numerous emails explaining why they consider the proposal to be consistent with planning policies and with previous planning decisions. 4. Site History 4.1 An application covering the whole area of land between Lancaster Avenue and the M8/A8 Page 10 of 85
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corridor from Bellside Road as far west as the junction with Rockcliffe Path was submitted in 1997, seeking outline planning permission for a factory outlet, 150,000sq/ft retail mall, drive- through restaurant and associated parking etc. That application (97/05010/OUT) was withdrawn in 1999, and there have been no subsequent applications for planning permission on the application site. However, permission in principle for mixed-use development on an adjacent area of land at the corner of Lancaster Avenue and Bellside Road was granted in 2018 (18/00266/PPP) and renewed in 2021 (21/01434/S42). There is currently an application for a filling station and drive through restaurant on part of that land (22/00378/FUL). The relationship between this application and permissions on the neighbouring site is discussed in Section 8 below. 4.2 The application field was once slightly larger than it now is, as a narrow strip of land along its southern edge was subject to compulsory purchase as part of the upgrading of the M8/A8, and there was an application in 2018 for a Certificate of Appropriate Alternative Development (CAAD) in relation to that land. The purpose of the CAAD was to establish what types of use would theoretically have been allowed on the land had it not been subject to compulsory purchase, in order that the compensation payable to the landowner reflected the potential value of the land. 4.3 The CAAD application (18/01607/CAAD) sought to establish that the compulsorily purchased land would have been suitable for development falling within Use Classes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 and for sui generis (outwith use classes) roadside fuel, electric vehicle charging, hot food takeaway and ancillary public house uses. The Council refused the CAAD application in respect of Classes 5 (general industrial) and 6 (storage and distribution) uses on the grounds that such uses were incompatible with both the site’s Green Belt status and with the High Amenity Location policy in the 2012 local plan (discussed below). The Council did however grant a CAAD specifying that the land would have been suitable for the following uses: • Class 10 (non-residential institution) – but only as an educational / tourism facility associated with agriculture or forestry or appropriate for a rural / natural setting. • Class 4 (business / light industrial) – but only for high value, high amenity business premises, which use would only have been permissible after 2012 (i.e. in line with the High Amenity Location policy in the 2012 local plan) • Mixed-use roadside facilities incorporating roadside fuel/electric vehicle charging, Class 3 (food and drink), Class 7 (hotel), hot food takeaway and public bar uses along with ancillary Class 1 (retail) use, and Class 11 (assembly and leisure) use subject to the restriction that this be either ancillary to the roadside services or of a countryside nature (such as a golf course, golf driving range or equestrian centre). Such uses would have been permissible from October 2018 (i.e. the date on which the aforementioned permission 18/00266/PPP was granted on the neighbouring site). 4.4 However, the granting of that CAAD was subject to an appeal by Transport Scotland (the authority responsible for the compulsory purchase), which considered that the CAAD was too broad and covered uses which should not have been included. The appeal reporter agreed that the CAAD should only have covered those uses which would have been permissible on the date of publication of the draft compulsory purchase order (November 2007) and not uses which might subsequently have become acceptable (potentially as a result of the road having been built). Accordingly the Council’s CAAD was cancelled and a new CAAD was issued by the Scottish Ministers indicating that acceptable uses would have been: (1) a hotel; (2) an educational/tourist facility relating to rural or natural heritage interests; and/or (3) an equestrian facility, golf course or golf driving range. 5. Development Plan Clydeplan Strategic Development Plan 2017 5.1 Clydeplan Schedule 14 and Diagram 10 set out the methodology for assessing the strategic impact of planning applications. Development within use classes 4 and 5 is not considered to be of a strategic scale unless its floorspace exceeds 10,000sq/m or the site area exceeds Page 11 of 85
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2ha. In this case the amount of floorspace currently proposed is 1,525sq/m and the site area is slightly below the 2ha threshold, so the development is not of a strategic scale. North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012 5.2 The application site lies within the Green Belt in the adopted local plan. Policy NBE3 A (Assessing Development in the Green Belt) indicates that the Council will protect the character of the Green Belt and promote suitable development therein by restricting development to specified types which must also satisfy the specified assessment criteria. The proposal is not for one of the types of development listed as acceptable development in the Green Belt. The assessment criteria are therefore not directly relevant as the proposal is fundamentally contrary to Green Belt policy, however those criteria which have an indirect bearing on this proposal are that development should: • Have a positive economic benefit; • Minimise adverse environmental impacts; • Not pose adverse infrastructure implications; • Have a specific locational need; • Be of suitable scale and form for the location; • Include a landscape assessment and high quality enhancement scheme to reinforce the rural character and provide a buffer to the development; • Adhere to SPP, Clydeplan and other local plan policies; • Not adversely affect the integrity of European designated environmental sites; • Adhere to the guidance/criteria contained in the SPG on development in the green belt (i.e. SPG 07) • Have regard to design and siting guidance in PAN72 (Rural Diversification); and • In the case of businesses, be supported by detailed and financially robust business plans 5.3 In addition to being part of the Green Belt, the area south west of the Bellside Road / Lancaster Avenue roundabout has a dual designation as a High Amenity Location (HAL). The precise boundaries of the HAL were not defined in the local plan, but the application site has previously been considered part of the area covered by the HAL designation. Policy EDI1 B3 (Protecting Strategic Locations for Business and Industry) sets out the types of industrial and business locations which are strategic in nature and identifies three HALs (Gartcosh, Ravenscraig and Chapelhall), which were intended as medium sized (10-30ha) industrial sites. These HALs arose from national and regional policies which were current at the time of the local plan’s adoption (i.e. SPP2 and the 2006 structure plan, both of which have since been superseded). These required the identification and safeguarding of locations specifically suitable for major inward-investment employment uses with a requirement for high-amenity sites. Furthermore, the designation of the Chapelhall HAL arose from a recommendation in the 2012 local plan’s Report of Examination. The Scottish Government reporter had recommended that “a site of unspecified size at the roundabout junction of the A73, south of Lancaster Avenue and west of Bellside Road” should be reserved “for a high value, high amenity business use”. The reason that precise boundaries for the HAL were not specified was because these would depend upon the specific requirements of an intended major business user. 5.4 Most of the application site is also included in a wider Transport Infrastructure Improvements designation covering the M8/A8 motorway corridor, where policy EDI2 B (Promoting Transport Development) supports improvements to transport infrastructure. However, as the relevant transport improvements (the new section of M8 and associated realignment of the A8) have already been completed, this designation and policy are no longer relevant. 5.5 Development Strategy policies DSP1 to DSP4 apply to all development. Policy DSP1 (Amount of Development) indicates that the Council will maintain an adequate industrial land supply and specifies that additions to this will require a supply / demand justification, and if they exceed specified thresholds (2,000 sq/m floor area in the case of Class 4, 5 and 6 uses) they will also require a needs / benefit justification. Policy DSP2 (Location of Development) sets out locational assessment criteria for additions to the industrial land supply (discussed in para. 8.5 below) and specifies that development which does not comply with these will be regarded as a departure from the development plan that will require a needs / benefit justification. Policy Page 12 of 85
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DSP3 (Impact of Development) requires that proposals which would necessitate new infrastructure or community facilities must meet or contribute towards the cost of doing so. Policy DSP4 (Quality of Development) indicates that applications will only be approved where the development would achieve high standards of site planning and sustainable design. 6. Consultations 6.1 The Coal Authority has no objection to the proposal subject to an informative about mining legacy risks being attached to any decision notice. 6.2 North Lanarkshire Council Greenspace Service has requested additional details in respect of ecological appraisal and landscaping proposals. Whilst an ecological assessment has been provided it was more than a year old by the time that the application became valid, and it is now over two years old. The ecological assessment also recommended further survey work be carried out for great crested newts. An updated ecological survey including a newt survey would therefore be required in advance of any planning permission being granted. 6.3 North Lanarkshire Council Protective Services (Environmental Health & Pollution Control) have no objection to the proposal subject to a condition addressing any unsuspected contamination which might be discovered on the site during development. 6.4 North Lanarkshire Council Transportation Services have no objection to the proposal subject to adequate on-site parking and turning and to ensuring that the Biggar Road access onto Lancaster Avenue meets the appropriate standards for an industrial access. (It appears that the junction already meets or exceeds this standard). Neither the existing private road (Biggar Road) or its proposed extension into the development site require to be adopted to serve a development of the scale proposed, however it is noted that any future intensification of development on the site may necessitate upgrading of Biggar Road to an adoptable standard at that point. 6.5 Scottish Water have no objection to the proposal and note that there is currently sufficient capacity in local water supply and foul sewage infrastructure (although a connection to the public sewer is not actually proposed). 6.6 Transport Scotland (Roads Directorate) have no objection to the application subject to there being no vehicular or pedestrian access into the trunk road, no use of the trunk road drainage infrastructure, and to appropriate screening, boundary treatment and lighting arrangements to prevent access and light spill onto the trunk road. 7. Representations 7.1 When this application was previously considered there were six objections from the applicant himself and several other persons who did not live close to the site, and in deferring the decision the Planning Committee had asked that the nature of these objections be clarified. However, five of those original objections (including that from the applicant) have since been withdrawn. 7.2 As a result of re-notification of neighbours following the amendments, an additional objection was received from a neighbouring resident and one letter of support has been received from a neighbouring developer. There are therefore now two objections, which ask that the application be refused for reasons summarised as follows: • Should not be allowed on a Green Belt site; • Proposal is contrary to development plan policies; • Access would use a private road which the applicant does not own and has no legal right to use; • Proximity of general industrial use to existing cottages would detract from residential amenity; • If road is required to be upgraded to adoptable standards this may result in cost cutting Page 13 of 85
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which would further reduce the quality of development; • Increased commercial traffic on Lancaster Avenue; • Impact on wildlife including deer, badgers, nets and birds; • Other more suitable sites are available for this type of development; and • Application should be refused for the reasons previously recommended The third representation is from an agent acting for G S Brown (the developer of the neighbouring site with permission for mixed-use roadside services), who confirms that his client supports the application and is agreeable to the principle of a pedestrian access being formed across their land. 7.3 The applicant has requested that a hearing take place for this application. 8. Planning Assessment Development Plan Policies 8.1 Under section 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, applications for planning permission are required to be determined in accordance with the policies of the statutory development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The proposal is not of a strategic scale and does not raise any issues for Clydeplan, so the relevant policies are those of the 2012 local plan. In that plan the application site is within an area with a dual designation as both Green Belt and as a High Amenity Location (HAL). In practice, this means that the site remains part of the Green Belt where policy NBE3 A applies, unless an appropriate “high amenity” business development proposal were to emerge that could be justified under policy EDI1 B3. 8.2 The proposed development does not relate to any of the types of development which policy NBE3 A lists as being acceptable within the Green Belt (i.e. agricultural / forestry development, infrastructure uses requiring rural sites, conversion of existing buildings, or facilities for outdoor recreation). Furthermore, the proposal is also considered to be contrary to the impact criteria listed by policy NBE3 A, as the applicant has not demonstrated any locational need for it to be located within the Green Belt, and no satisfactory landscape protection or enhancement scheme is possible given the shape and location of the site. Whilst the applicant has claimed that the proposal would have economic benefits, these are considered to be minimal (as discussed below). The proposal is also not in accordance with the criteria contained in Supplementary Planning Guidance Note SPG07 (Assessing Development in the Green Belt), which mirrors and expands upon policy NBE3 A. Furthermore, as also discussed below it is also considered to be of an unsuitable scale and form for the location, and that it would thus detract from the appearance and character of the Green Belt. The proposal is therefore clearly contrary to Green Belt policy NBE3 A. 8.3 Whereas the HAL designation and its corresponding policy EDI1 B3 do allow for certain forms of business development in this part of the Green Belt, as explained in paragraph 5.3 above this support is limited to major inward-investment business users requiring a large, high amenity location. What was envisaged was a major corporate headquarters or a large factory campus requiring a self-contained site of sufficient size to accommodate the development along with high quality landscaping to provide an attractive business environment without detracting from the appearance of the surrounding area. Such a business would have been expected to employ a significant number of people, these potentially being new jobs which might otherwise not come to Scotland. The policy does not provide any support for small or even medium-sized business developments at this location, as there were already suitable sites for these in North Lanarkshire without requiring development of the Green Belt. The local plan did not define the precise boundaries of the HAL because it was recognised that this would depend upon the needs of a specific major business user, however it was clear that any HAL development was expected to be accessed from the Bellside Road / Lancaster Avenue roundabout (which already includes an access stub to serve the HAL site). Policy EDI1 B3 is worded to protect HAL sites specifically for such high amenity business uses, and other types of development are therefore not supported. Page 14 of 85
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8.4 In contrast to these intentions for the HAL, this application proposes the piecemeal development of an outlying part of the HAL area for a development of a type and scale that is capable of being accommodated within a normal industrial estate, and for which an adequate supply of suitable new plots exists within designated industrial locations (such as nearby Eurocentral and Newhouse Industrial Estate). The business identified by the applicant as a prospective occupant is a plant / machinery dealership which includes both sales and servicing elements and is akin to a specialised form of vehicle dealership. The number of jobs involved has not been explicitly stated, but is understood to be less than 50 and it can be assumed that most or all of these would transfer from the company’s existing premises a few miles away rather than being new jobs. The proposal is therefore for a type and scale of business which is entirely inconsistent with the HAL designation, and the proposal is thus contrary to policy EDI1 B3. As discussed in paragraph 8.16 below the Council has already approved mixed-use roadside development on a neighbouring site which is also incompatible with the HAL, but that does not amount to an acceptance that other parts of the HAL may be released from the Green Belt for other types of non-compliant use. The main significance of the development being contrary to policy EDI1 B3 is therefore that the site remains part of the Green Belt, so policy NBE3 A (discussed above) remains the operative land use policy. 8.5 The Council maintains a planned land supply for business / industrial development so as to ensure that there is sufficient land to meet the needs of the local economy, and as the proposal would be an addition to this policies DSP1 and DSP2 are relevant. As the proposal involves less than 2,000sq/m of floorspace policy DSP1 does not require a supply and demand justification, although it should be noted that the site is easily large enough to accommodate larger buildings than the 1,525sq/m proposed so there is potential that the development would expand beyond the 2,000sq/m threshold once the principle of development had been established. In terms of policy DSP2, the proposal is not consistent with the locational criteria which that policy sets out for additions to the industrial land supply. The proposal would not contribute to urban regeneration, because rather than using urban brownfield land and existing urban infrastructure, it would occupy a greenfield site that is not contiguous with the current urban boundary, it would undermine the prospects of securing similar investment in existing and more suitable industrial sites within towns, and it would employ inferior private road and drainage infrastructure rather than the adopted roads and mains drainage which would normally be expected on the edge of a settlement. The site is within the Green Belt and its development in the manner proposed would fail to maintain a clearly defined urban / rural boundary, and the site is not particularly accessible by sustainable transport as although there are bus stops on Lancaster Avenue the site itself is accessed by a narrow, poorly surfaced and unlit private road without footpaths. In these circumstances policy DSP2 indicates that the proposal should be treated as a development plan departure and that a needs and benefits justification should be provided in accordance with the former structure plan policy. The applicant’s supporting documents are discussed below, however it is considered that these do not demonstrate a need for the development or any significant benefit arising from it. The proposal is therefore contrary to policy DSP2. 8.6 The proposal would have no significant impact upon community facilities or off-site infrastructure and there is therefore no requirement for developer contributions under policy DSP3. However, issues with the drainage and access infrastructure are discussed in paragraphs 8.19 and 8.20 below. 8.7 Policy DSP4 indicates that development will only be allowed where high standards of site planning and sustainable design are achieved, but in these respects the proposal is considered to be unsatisfactory both in concept and in detail. The development of a sizeable industrial building and large yard space on a Green Belt site which is both detached from the existing settlement boundary and visually prominent alongside the motorway corridor would detract from the setting of Chapelhall and set a precedent for further piecemeal development within the section of Green Belt between Chapelhall and the motorway. The revised proposal now includes planting a tree belt around much of the perimeter of the site, but as the A8 and M8 are elevated above the site the trees would have limited screening effect, and the narrowness of the yard space behind the proposed building leaves little room for the tree belt. The plans show these trees as Mediterranean Cypress and Columnar Aspen, both potentially tall, narrow semi- ornamental types presumably chosen to minimise their land-take, and thus even when mature Page 15 of 85
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they would have an unnatural linear form akin to a Leylandii hedge rather than resembling a woodland edge. As noted above, access arrangements for the site are not conducive to sustainable travel. Accordingly, the proposal would not contribute to the creation of distinct and successful places or provide a safe, inclusive and convenient development, and it is therefore contrary to policy DSP4. North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan (Modified Proposed Plan) 8.8 The LDP Report of Examination was published in May 2021 by the Scottish Government's Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA). Following approval by the Planning Committee in November 2021, the council submitted its LDP intended for adoption to the Scottish Government, and is currently awaiting Scottish Government's decision as to whether the plan can be adopted. As the LDP is at such an advanced stage it is a significant material consideration. 8.9 The emerging LDP continues to include the application site within an area on the corner of Bellside Road and Lancaster Avenue that has dual designation as Green Belt and also part of what is now called a Specialised Business Site (SBS). The SBS corresponds with the previous HAL designation, although unlike the HAL its boundary is defined on the LDP proposals map and now unambiguously includes the application site. The effect of this dual designation is the same as that of the adopted plan, in that the application site is part of the Green Belt unless it is required for an appropriate SBS development. 8.10 Policy PROM LOC2 supports and directs business development to Strategic and Local Business Centres identified in the plan, and to sites within the Industrial and Business Land Supply. This includes “sites for specific uses” (i.e. SBS). The nature of SBS is not defined in the plan, although the Airdrie local area partnership area strategy notes that the site at Chapelhall is a “specialised limited use site”, as distinct from the other more general business centres designated in the plan. Furthermore, the issue was specifically addressed during the LDP examination in relation to a representation (SM023) which objected to the application site’s Green Belt designation and sought instead to have it designated as either a mixed-use centre, a proposed business development site, a proposed leisure development site and/or a proposed retail site. Having noted the planning history of the location including the permission for mixed- use development elsewhere in the SBS, the Scottish Government reporter rejected these arguments and affirmed the Council’s position that the site is part of the Green Belt and should only be released to enable major business development which meet the SBS requirements. Indeed, the reporter questioned the logic of the application site being included within the SBS designation at all, given the incompatibility of a SBS development with the neighbouring neighbouring permission in principle, but he considered that it was outwith his remit to make recommendations on that issue. 8.11 As discussed above in relation to the adopted plan’s policy EDI1 B3, the proposal is not for a specialised business use and there is therefore no policy justification for the release of this site from the Green Belt. Furthermore, even if the proposal had involved a high-amenity specialised business development it is unlikely that the application site on its own would be suitable for such a use given its detachment from the settlement edge, its isolated private access, and the fact that its location would cause development to spread further into the Green Belt than necessary to achieve the objects of the SBS allocation. The proposal is therefore contrary to the emerging LDP’s policy PROM LOC2, and as the emerging Green Belt policies are similar in effect to the adopted plan’s policy NBE3 A (discussed above), the proposal is also contrary to emerging policies PP4 and AD4. 8.12 Policies CI (Contributions to Infrastructure) and EDQ1 to EDQ3 (Environmental and Design Qualities) generally reflect the existing local plan’s policies DSP3 and DSP4 discussed above. There is no conflict with policy CI, however the proposal is considered to be contrary to policies EDQ1 and EDQ3 due to the unsatisfactory impacts upon the character and amenity of the section of countryside separating Chapelhall from the motorway corridor which have been discussed above. Other Material Considerations 8.13 Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) (para. 49) indicates that green belts may be employed to Page 16 of 85
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support a development plan’s spatial strategy by: • Directing development to the most appropriate locations and supporting regeneration; • Protecting and enhancing the character, landscape setting and identity of the settlement; and • Protecting and providing access to open space. The proposal would be contrary to these objectives as it is not the most appropriate location for development of this nature, it would detract from regeneration objectives by allowing development more suited to urban brownfield land to take place on a greenfield site, and it would detract from the character, landscape setting and identity of the settlement by developing within the strip of Green Belt which separates Chapelhall from the motorway corridor and the Newhouse Industrial Estate beyond. Whereas SPP (para. 93) indicates that the planning system should promote business and industrial development that increases economic activity, it also indicates that natural and built environments should be safeguarded as national assets. Sites should be allocated to meet the diverse needs of different sectors and sizes of business and flexible enough to accommodate changing circumstances. In this case the HAL/SBS site has been specifically safeguarded to accommodate a particular type of business development requiring a high amenity site in accordance with SPP guidance that allocations should accommodate diverse needs. The application proposal is inconsistent with that land use allocation and no evidence has been presented of any locational need for a Green Belt site or of any significant economic benefit arising from the proposal. Accordingly, the proposed development is considered to be contrary to Scottish Planning Policy. 8.14 The applicant has provided a “socio-economic statement” setting out the economic impacts of the proposal, although the figures quoted are understood to be based on generic assumptions about a development of this scale rather than a detailed assessment of the prospective occupant’s business. The development itself would represent a capital investment of £3 million and its construction would provide the equivalent of 20 person-years of employment. Once complete, a development of this size would be expected to provide around 42 jobs and would pay around £200,000 in annual business rates. If 21 of these jobs would be new to the area, the Gross Value Added (GVA) to the local economy is estimated at around £1.3m per year. The report also notes the need for additional employment in North Lanarkshire and the various local and national policies encouraging economic development to support economic recovery and growth. However, the Planning Service does not consider that these figures justify the proposed development. In the first place, the claimed economic benefits are vastly lower than what would have been expected of a HAL/SBS development as originally conceived, and therefore reinforces the fact that the proposal is not consistent with those policies. Secondly, these estimates are generic assumptions about a commercial building of the size proposed and even if they are accurate they do not justify development of this particular site, as the same benefits would arise from the construction of a similarly sized building on a more suitable site. Thirdly, the applicant has identified a specific potential occupier for the site, and it is reasonable to assume that all or most of the jobs would simply be relocated from that firm’s existing premises a few miles away. There would be some benefit to North Lanarkshire in terms of securing the relocation of a small/medium sized employer from a neighbouring council area and over time staff turnover would probably result in a higher proportion of the company’s staff being North Lanarkshire residents, but there would be no significant economic benefit for the region and the local benefits for Chapelhall would be modest and no greater than those which would arise if the business relocated to a more suitable industrial estate site within the area. No evidence has been put forward suggesting that the prospective occupier has any specific locational need for this or any other Green Belt site, and beyond its proximity to the motorway network the only site-specific advantage that the applicant has put forward is that the site is prominent from the motorway and thus visible to potential customers. However, given the specialised nature of the machinery sold it is doubtful that much of their revenue arises from casual passing trade, and the fact that the site is prominent from the motorway is one of the reasons that it is unsatisfactory in Planning terms. 8.15 The applicant has also submitted a planning statement and numerous emails which argue that the proposal is consistent with the policies of the adopted and emerging development plans, however these arguments are based on highly subjective interpretations of planning policy and Page 17 of 85
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history which are not considered to be either reasonable or consistent with the facts. For example, the statement suggests that the development would accord with the HAL/SBS policies because the proposal would involve a major multinational company relocating to North Lanarkshire, whereas in reality the prospective occupier is a modestly-sized UK equipment dealership chain, and the fact that they have a sales franchise for a foreign machinery manufacturer does not make the proposal a multinational inward investment. The applicant has also asserted that previous correspondence from council officers had accepted the principle of development of this nature on the site, and the application’s deferral from the October 2021 Planning Committee was in part to allow this to be clarified. However the applicant was asked to identify the correspondence referred to, and the emails identified cannot reasonably be interpreted in the manner that the applicant suggests. 8.16 Reference has been made above to the planning permission which has been granted on the neighbouring site to the north east, located on the corner of Bellside Road and Lancaster Avenue. That site is also within the HAL/SBS, and indeed it is the core of HAL/SBS as it was assumed that any high amenity / specialised business user would locate adjacent to the existing roundabout at this corner, and that their development site would extend only so far south and west as the specific major business user required. Although the neighbouring site is subject to the same policies as the application site, the Council has previously granted planning permission in principle for a mixed-use commercial development on that land. That proposal was acknowledged at the time to be contrary to the policies of the adopted local plan and the emerging LDP, but it was approved as a development plan departure on the basis that the site had been allocated as a HAL for some years without any such use being proposed, and the uses proposed (roadside services including fuel station/vehicle charging, hotel and restaurant etc. together with an element of out-of-centre retail and leisure development) were judged to be acceptable at that location (i.e. adjacent to Bellside Road). The proximity of that site to the M8 motorway junction and the good access into the site itself from the existing roundabout access point had a bearing on that decision. 8.17 The applicant has argued that the granting of planning permission for the neighbouring mixed- use development has established that the HAL/SBS allocation is impossible to implement, that the loss of the Green Belt at this location has already been accepted, and that other types of development within the HAL/SBS area must therefore be acceptable. They consider that the land to the west of the mixed-use site (including the application site) would be a logical extension to the approved development mixed-use development, and that their site would also form a logical extension to it. The applicant also notes that the southern end of the projected East Airdrie Link Road is expected to commence at Chapelhall, with two of the three route options commencing at the Bellside Road/Lancaster Avenue roundabout, and as this would make the location even more accessible by road the applicant believes that it demonstrates the site’s suitability for development. However, none of these circumstances justify the proposed development. It is true that the prospects of attracting a major inward-investment business user to the Chapelhall HAL/SBS now appear slim, and that if the approved mixed-use development is built on the neighbouring site that would effectively extinguish any possibility of securing a HAL/SBS development. However, the mixed-use roadside services development was approved on the basis that those particular uses on that particular scale were judged to be acceptable on that particular site, and that the loss of that particular corner of the Green Belt could therefore be accepted. None of that necessarily applies to other parts of the HAL/SBS or to other types or scales of land use. Any proposal for expansion of the mixed-use site to its west would need to be justified both in terms of need for the proposed development and loss of Green Belt, as recently confirmed by the LDP reporter. Furthermore, the application site itself would never be likely to form a logical expansion of the approved mixed-use site because only a small section of the two sites’ boundaries are contiguous with one another and they are separately accessed. In a hypothetical future scenario whereby westward expansion of the (as yet unbuilt) mixed-use development was judged acceptable, it is by no means clear that the application site would be needed (except perhaps as an area of strategic landscaping), and if it was to be developed as part of a planned expansion of the mixed-use area the new development would be expected to have proper road access and mains drainage (which the current proposal lacks). Additionally, the application proposal bears no relation to the neighbouring mixed-use permission because it seeks Class 4 (business/light industrial) and Class 5 (storage/distribution) uses which are not amongst the uses approved on the Page 18 of 85
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neighbouring site, and the specific occupant identified is a stand-alone business. The proposed East Airdrie Link Road supports the rationale for the neighbouring mixed-use roadside service permission, but beyond that it does not provide any justification for development within the Green Belt land between Chapelhall and the M8. The recent LDP Report of Examination confirmed that there is a generous supply of land for business and industry and that there was no requirement to allocate additional sites for such use beyond those already allocated by the emerging LDP. There is therefore no supply and demand justification for the proposed development. It is therefore not considered that any of these material considerations provide any significant support for the proposed development. 8.18 The Council has previously refused other applications for unjustified industrial development within the Green Belt, and these decisions have been supported by the Scottish Government. Examples include the refusal of business/industrial development at the former Royal George Washery, Newmains (appeal PPA-320-2096) and at Edinburgh Road, Newhouse (PPA-320- 2127) where in both cases appeals against the refusals were dismissed and the Scottish Government Reporters concurred with the Council’s view that such development would undermine the prospect of attracting industrial investment at more suitable locations without delivering any significant economic benefit, as well as having an unacceptable impact upon the Green Belt. 8.19 In relation to other matters raised by consultees, there are no objections to the application from the Council’s own Transportation Service subject to the junction of Biggar Road onto Lancaster being to an appropriate standard (which it already is). They have commented that any expansion of the proposed industrial estate beyond the two units proposed would necessitate upgrading of Biggar Road to an adoptable standard, including provision of an adoptable turning head at the end of the road (which is not part of the proposal). Therefore, whilst the proposed access is acceptable for the development as currently proposed, there is limited scope to intensify use of the access without it becoming substandard, which undermines the applicant’s claim that the development of the site would form part of a logical expansion of the neighbouring mixed-use permission. Additionally, the site does not benefit from convenient pedestrian access as the private section of Biggar Road has no footpaths of lighting, and whilst the plans show a possible meandering footpath connection through neighbouring land towards the Bellside Road/Lancaster Avenue roundabout, this passes through land which has no planning permission for any development, and the development of which would also be contrary to development plan policy for the reasons discussed above. The footpath link shown is therefore merely an aspiration, which could only be realised if other development plan departures were to be allowed at some future date. 8.20 The application has been accompanied by a drainage strategy report which proposes that the site would not be connected to the public sewerage network due to the distance from the site to a public sewer (the closest sewers are currently on Lancaster Avenue, although any development on the adjacent mixed-use development site will be expected to incorporate sewers). Instead, the building would have its own private foul sewage treatment plant discharging to a soakaway, and surface water would also discharge to the soakaway. The treatment plant and soakaways would be located in the centre of the site to the north of the new access road, with the soakaway being under one of the yard areas. The drainage strategy concludes that the site is not at risk of flooding and that soil conditions are suitable for the proposed drainage arrangements, although that report is lacking in detail and does not state whether it was prepared by a suitably qualified hydrological engineer. In principle, such arrangements may be acceptable in their own right, although again the use of a private foul sewage system at a location so close to the edge of the urban area further demonstrates the unplanned and isolated nature of the proposal. 8.21 As noted in para. 7.2 there are now three representations, of which two objecting to the application and one supports it. The supporting representation is from the neighbouring landowner/developer who indicates a willingness to co-operate in providing a footpath access to the site, although as noted above this would seem to require the development of land for which there is currently no planning permission and very little policy support for the development of. The issues raised in the objections are addressed as follows: Page 19 of 85
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• Should not be allowed on a Green Belt site, contrary to development plan policies, and other more suitable sites are available for this type of development. Response: These points have been discussed above, and it is recommended that the application be refused for these reasons. • Access over a private road which the applicant does not own or have a legal right to use. Response: The applicant believes that they have an unrestricted right of access over the private road. Any dispute on this issue would be a private legal matter between the parties involved. • Detract from residential amenity of neighbouring property. Response: The neighbouring dwelling is currently isolated from other development, so any development of the application site would alter that and understandably may not be welcomed by existing residents, however the impact on residential amenity is not likely to be unacceptable. There would be adequate separation between buildings, and noise from the development is likely to be insignificant relative to the existing traffic noise at this location. • Additional commercial traffic on Lancaster Avenue Response: The level of traffic from the proposed development is not likely to have significant impacts on the local road network, and the junction of Biggar Road onto Lancaster Avenue is adequate. • Negative impact on wildlife Response: As discussed above, additional information about ecological matters would be needed to demonstrate the impact on habitats before the application could be approved. 9. Conclusions 9.1 In principle, investment in commercial property is of course to be welcomed if such development has potential to provide new jobs and increased economic opportunities. However, it does not follow that any commercial development is necessarily acceptable on any site. Allowing the unnecessary development of less suitable sites risks undermining the development of strategic employment areas and the regeneration of existing industrial estates without resulting in any net increase in employment. In general, North Lanarkshire has an ample supply of industrial land, including large industrial estates close to the application site, whereas the application site is an isolated fragment of greenfield land which occupies a prominent location within the Green Belt and its development in the manner proposed is contrary to all of the relevant policies of the adopted and emerging development plans. No need for the development has been demonstrated either in terms of industrial land supply or specifical locational need, and the potential economic benefits of the proposal are considered to be very limited, and the proposal would undermine the integrity of this part of the Green Belt and represent an unsatisfactory form of development in terms of its impact on the appearance and character of the area. The proposal is therefore contrary to policies EDI1 B3, NBE3 A, DSP2 and DSP4 of the adopted local plan, and to policies PROM LOC 2, PP4, AD3, EDQ1 and EDQ2 of the emerging local plan, as well as being contrary to Scottish Planning Policy guidance on the purpose of the Green Belt and industrial land allocations. Overall the proposal is considered to be unacceptable both in principle and in detail, and it is therefore recommended that the application be refused. 9.2 Whilst the applicant has requested a hearing, the circumstances do not satisfy the criteria for a hearing set out in the Council’s adopted Protocol for Planning Application Hearings. The protocol makes clear that applications which are recommended for refusal will not be subject to hearings. Page 20 of 85
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Application No: 22/00057/FUL Proposed Development: Erection of 2 metre high fence around part of dwellinghouse curtilage Site Address: 27 Crathie Drive Glenmavis Airdrie North Lanarkshire ML6 0NR Date Registered: 29th April 2022 Applicant: Mr Craig Cameron 27 Crathie Drive Glenmavis Airdrie North Lanarkshire ML6 0NR Agent: N/A Application Level: Local Application Contrary to Development Plan: No Ward: 08 Airdrie North Alan Beveridge, Sophia Coyle, Henry Emerson Dunbar, Richard Alan Sullivan, Representations: 9 letter(s) of representation received. Recommendation: Reasoned Justification: As altered, the proposal development meets the criteria set out in the residential policies contained within the North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012. The proposed development is acceptable in terms of its impact upon the property and the surrounding residential area. Page 21 of 85
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Reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown Copyright and database right 2009. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100023396. Planning Application: 22/00057/FUL Name (of applicant): Mr Craig Cameron Site Address: 27 Crathie Drive Glenmavis Airdrie North Lanarkshire ML6 0NR Development: Erection of 2 metre high fence around part of dwellinghouse curtilage Page 22 of 85
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Proposed Condition:- 1. That BEFORE any works start on site, further details shall be submitted to the Planning Authority for its approval, and these shall show: • The fence alongside Balmoral Avenue to be positioned 2 metres back from the adjoining footway • Details of the appearance and material and colour of the proposed fencing. Thereafter, the development shall be implemented in accordance with these approved details. Reason: In the interests of residential amenity. Background Papers: Consultation Responses: Traffic & Transportation Contact Information: Any person wishing to inspect these documents should contact Stewart MacCallum at planningenquiry@northlan.gov.uk Report Date: 20th June 2022 Page 23 of 85
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APPLICATION NO. 22/00057/FUL REPORT 1. Site Description 1.1 The application site is a semi-detached property set within an established residential area at 27 Crathie Drive, Airdrie. The site is bordered on all sides by neighbouring residential properties, except to the south which is an area of landscaping before it buffers a golf course. The property is located on a corner plot and has a dual frontage onto both Crathie Drive and Balmoral Avenue. 2. Proposed Development 2.1 The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of 2 metre high boundary fencing along a portion of the side/rear garden facing onto Balmoral Avenue. The proposal also includes 1 metre high fencing along the majority of the side garden area however this would be noted as permitted development. 3. Applicant’s Supporting Information 3.1 The applicant has confirmed that the proposed new fencing would largely be 1 metre in height, however due to the position of the side/rear garden some of the fencing would be 2 metres in height to enclose an area of side/rear garden for privacy. As originally submitted, the 2m fencing would have abutted directly onto the footway on Balmoral Avenue. However, at the request of the Planning Service, the applicant has since agreed that they would be prepared to accept the side/rear garden fence being set back from the kerb of Balmoral Avenue by 2 metres by virtue of a planning condition imposed by any planning consent. 4. Site History None. 5. Development Plan 5.1 The site is covered by policies HCF 1 A (Protecting Residential Amenity and Community Facilities) and DSP4 Quality of Development. 10. Consultations 6.1 Roads Services advised that they had no objections or comments in regard to the proposal. 11. Representations 7.1 Following standard neighbour notification procedures, 9 letter(s) of representation were received. It is noted that all 9 of these letters were to object to the proposal. It should be noted that these objections all relate to the proposal as originally submitted, ie with a 2m fence abutting the footway and not to the subsequent alteration which allows for the fencing to be set back by 2m. The objections raised can be summarised as follows: • Impact upon sightlines/road safety • Overshadowing of kitchen window and plants • The visual appearance of the fence in regard to height and appearance, being out of character with the streetscape • The devaluation of property. Page 24 of 85
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12. Planning Assessment 8.1 Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 requires that planning decisions must be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The application raises no strategic issues and can be assessed against the local plan. 8.2 The application site is an area designated by HCF 1A in the North Lanarkshire Local Plan (2012), which seeks to protect the residential character and amenity of housing areas. Policy HCF 1A requires such proposals to be assessed against the criteria of DSP 4 that ensures high standards on site planning and sustainable design are achieved. The North Lanarkshire Local Plan also requires developments be assessed against policies DSP 1 (Amount of Development), DSP 2 (Location of Development), DSP 3 (Impact of Development) and DSP 4 (Quality of Development. Given the scale and nature of the development DSP 1, DSP 2 and DSP 3 are not relevant in this instance. 8.3 Concerns were expressed by the Planning Service and objectors that the character and appearance of the area would be unduly harmed by the positioning of a 2m fence next to the footway. The applicant has agreed to set the fence 2m back and this addresses the concerns of the Planning Service. On this basis, the proposed fencing is considered satisfactory in size, location, and design terms, and will not harm the residential amenity of the site or the general area. The potential impact of the proposal on neighbouring properties is acceptable in terms of sunlight/daylight and privacy. Adequate garden ground would remain should the proposal be developed. The proposal will not have an unacceptable impact on the existing parking provision. 8.4 The matters raised in the letters of representation are addressed in turn below. Design As noted in the assessment above, on the basis of the revised proposal the application has been considered against the design policies in the local plan, and it is considered that the proposal will have no significant detrimental impact on both the setting of the area and its amenity value. The fencing, is considered acceptable, given its size and location with this particular plot. Amenity Again, on the basis of the revised fence location, it is not considered that the development of the site for the proposed fencing at this location would have a significant detrimental effect on amenities and the surrounding dwellings to warrant the refusal of the application. As such, it is considered that the development can be accommodated without detriment to the adjacent dwellings in terms of privacy, sunlight/daylight and overlooking. Road Safety It is noted that several comments received mention the proposal’s detrimental impact to road safety, traffic visibility and sightlines. In this instance it is noted from Road Services consultation response that there are no issues raised in regard to this. As such this is not considered to raise any such concerns. Fence Positioning The site whilst having a principal elevation onto Crathie Drive, also has a frontage onto Balmoral Avenue due to the way the property is positioned at the junction of both streets. Despite this fence projecting into what would normally be seen as `front` garden areas on Balmoral Avenue, this is actually the side/rear garden of the property. It is not utilsing 2 metre high fencing for the whole side garden onto Balmoral Avenue, and given it is only a small portion of this garden area as determined on visiting the site, the fencing will not have an overbearing impact despite being higher than the general fence heights on the immediate neighbours. It is also noted that Page 25 of 85
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there is similar type height fencing along side garden boundaries of properties on Crathie Drive. The applicant has confirmed that they would be agreeable to set back the portion of 2 metre high fencing on Balmoral Avenue by 2 metres from the kerb thus minimising its overall impact. Therefore, the proposed positioning of the fencing does not warrant refusal of planning permission. 13. Conclusions 9.1 In conclusion, considering all the circumstances relevant to this application, the proposed 2 metre high boundary fencing is considered acceptable. The proposed fencing can be accommodated within the site without adversely affecting the residential amenity of neighbouring properties or residential character of the surrounding area, therefore, complies with policies HCF 1A (Residential Amenity) and DSP 4 (Quality of Development) of the North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012. Taking account of the provisions of the development plan and all other material considerations it is recommended that permission be granted subject to conditions. Page 26 of 85
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Application No: 22/00156/S42 Proposed Development: Residential Development and Associated Infrastructure (in principle) (Section 42 application to vary condition 31 of planning permission 17/01248/PPP, to adjust the timing and sequencing of the construction of the proposed access roundabouts) Site Address: Land East Of Main Street Newmains North Lanarkshire Date Registered: 7th March 2022 Applicant: Advance Construction (Scotland) Ltd c/o North Planning & Development 300 Tay House, Bath Street Glasgow G2 4JR Agent: Graeme Laing North Planning and Development Ltd Tay House, 2nd Floor 300 Bath Street Glasgow G2 4JR Application Level: Major Application Contrary to Development Plan: No Ward: 20 Murdostoun Robert John McKendrick, Cameron McManus, Louise Roarty, Nicky Shevlin, Representations: 0 letter(s) of representation received. Recommendation: Approve Subject to Conditions Reasoned Justification: The proposed change to condition 31 can be accommodated without detriment to the character and the amenity of the surrounding area due to it being integral to a residential proposal which has permission in principle under application 17/01248/PPP. Page 27 of 85
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Reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown Copyright and database right 2009. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100023396. Planning Application: 22/00156/S42 Name (of applicant): Advance Construction (Scotland) Ltd Site Address: Land East Of Main Street Newmains Development: Residential Development and Associated Infrastructure (in principle) (Section 42 application to vary condition 31 of planning permission 17/01248/PPP, to adjust the timing and sequencing of the construction of the proposed access roundabouts) Page 28 of 85
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Proposed Conditions:- 1. That before development starts, a further planning application shall be submitted to the Planning Authority in respect of the following matters:- (a) the siting, design and external appearance of all buildings and other structures; (b) the layout of the site, all roads, footways, cycle paths and parking areas (for the avoidance of doubt such a layout shall consider the principles of ‘Designing Streets’.); (c) the details of, and timetable for, the hard and soft landscaping of the site (which shall include a significant landscaped buffer along the eastern and western boundaries) and (d) the provision of public open space; (e) provision of equipped play areas; (f) details for management and maintenance of the areas identified in (c), (d) and (e) above; (g) the phasing of the development; (h) the provision of drainage works; (i) the disposal of sewage; (j) details of existing trees, shrubs and hedgerows to be retained; (k) the design and location of all boundary walls and fences; and (l) details of existing and proposed site levels. (m) details of the provision of a bus stops on Main Street, as well as the relocation of existing bus stops as a result of the development. Reason: To accord with the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 as amended by the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006. 2. For the avoidance of doubt, the indicative master plan which accompanies the planning application is not approved and should not be taken as part of the planning permission. Reason: To clarify the drawings on which this approval of permission is founded. 3. That before any works of any description start on the application site, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Planning Authority, a comprehensive site investigation report shall be submitted to and for the approval of the said Authority. The investigation must be carried out in accordance with current best practice advice, such as BS 10175: 'The Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites' or CLR 11. The report must include a site specific risk assessment of all relevant pollution linkages and a conceptual site model. Depending on the results of the investigation, a detailed Remediation Strategy may be required. Reason: To establish whether or not site decontamination is required in the interests of the amenity and wellbeing of future residents. 4. That any remediation works identified by the site investigation required in terms of Condition 3, shall be carried out to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority. Before the development is brought into use, a certificate (signed by a chartered Environmental Engineer) shall be submitted to the Planning Authority confirming that any remediation works have been carried out in accordance with the terms of the Remediation Strategy. Reason: To ensure that the site is free of contamination in the interests of the amenity. 5. That before any works of any description start on the application site, an intrusive site investigation shall be undertaken to establish the exact situation regarding the coal mining legacy on site. For avoidance of doubt this shall include the submission of a scheme of intrusive site investigations for mine entry and shallow coal mine workings, including a plan showing the exact location of the mine entry and any consequential amendments to the layout which may be required. The findings of this site investigation shall be submitted to the Planning Authority in the form of a detailed report for written approval in consultation with the Coal Authority. Any remediation works deemed necessary to implement this development shall be outlined in this report. Reason: To ensure that matters relating to coal mining risk are adequately addressed. Page 29 of 85
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6. That any remediation works identified by the site investigation required in terms of Condition 5, shall be carried out to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority in consultation with the Coal Authority. A certificate (signed by a Chartered Engineer experienced in mining works) shall be submitted to the Planning Authority confirming that the remediation works have been implemented in accordance with the relevant Coal Authority Guidance. Reason: To ensure that matters relating to coal mining risk are adequately addressed. 7. That before the development hereby permitted starts, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Planning Authority; full details of the proposed surface water drainage scheme shall be submitted to the said Authority and shall be certified by a chartered civil engineer as complying with the most recent SEPA SUDS guidance. Reason: To ensure that the drainage scheme complies with best SUDS practice to protect adjacent watercourses and groundwater, in the interests of the amenity and wellbeing of existing and future residents adjacent to and within the development site. 8. That the SUDS compliant surface water drainage scheme approved in terms of Condition 7 shall be implemented contemporaneously with the development in so far as is reasonably practical. Within three months of the construction of the SUDS, a certificate (signed by a Chartered Civil Engineer experienced in drainage works) shall be submitted to the Planning Authority confirming that the SUDS has been constructed in accordance with the relevant CIRIA Manual and the approved plans. Reason: To safeguard adjacent watercourses and groundwater from pollution and in the interests of the amenity and wellbeing of existing and future residents adjacent to and within the development site. 9. That before any works start on site, the applicant must confirm in writing to the Planning Authority that the foul drainage can be connected to the public sewer in accordance with the requirements of Scottish Water. The surface water must be treated in accordance with the principles of the Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems Design Manual for Scotland and Northern Ireland published by CIRIA in March 2000. Reason: To prevent groundwater or surface water contamination in the interests of environmental and amenity protection. 10. That before the development hereby permitted starts, the applicant shall provide written confirmation to the Planning Authority that all the requirements of Scottish Water have been fully met to demonstrate that the development will not have an impact on their assets, and that suitable infrastructure can be put in place to support the development. Reason: To ensure that there is sufficient capacity in the sewerage and water supply systems to allow the residential development to proceed. 11. That before any development starts on site, a survey carried out by an appropriately qualified ecologist, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. This shall identify any implications for species protected by statute, and where required, include all necessary mitigation measures. Once approved, any mitigation measures shall be adhered as approved under the terms of this condition. Reason: To ensure that ecology and habitat surveys are up to date and in compliance with The Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended); the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) as amended; the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (as amended); and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. 12. That three months prior to any works commencing on site a Construction Method Statement (CMS) shall be submitted to and approved by the Planning Authority. The Construction Method Statement shall cover: Page 30 of 85
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• Detailed and scaled map to include the anticipated phasing of the development, including watercourse standoff (no construction zone), site storage compound and equipment store and any ancillary buildings. • Details of all on-site construction, including drainage (incorporate SUDS where appropriate), pollution prevention, as well as the timetables for such work. • Details of construction practices in terms of minimisation of the use of raw materials and the reuse or recycling of waste materials; • Details of surface water drainage measures to comply with national guidance on pollution prevention, including surface water runoff from internal access roads; • Details of welfare facilities • Details of vehicle wash down areas; • A dust management plan during the construction period; • Details of the arrangement for the on-site storage of fuel oil; The development shall thereafter be implemented in accordance with the approved Construction Method Statement. Reason: To ensure that necessary contingencies are in place and to minimise pollution risks arising from construction activities and in the interests of road safety. 13. That three months prior to any works commencing on site a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) shall be submitted to and approved by the Planning Authority. In the interest of clarity the CEMP should adequately characterise the risks that the construction works pose to the water environment or the key environmental receptors and incorporate detailed pollution prevention and mitigation measures for all construction elements potentially capable of giving rise to pollution during all phases of construction and reinstatement after construction in line with SEPA guidance. Reason: To ensure suitable pollution prevention measures are in place prior to construction to protect the water environment. 14. That notwithstanding the terms of condition 1 above, any future layout within the site shall be supported by a Noise Impact Assessment, carried out by an appropriately qualified person, which includes the detail of specific noise mitigation measures to be incorporated into the proposed development in relation to: i.The noise barrier to be provided to the north of the site in the location as detailed in figure 4.3 addendum to Report Airshed AS 0617 Newmains rev 02 . ii.The layout and orientation of dwellings within the site, roof and windows specifications, the use of topography, and provision of attenuation barriers in mitigating road traffic noise sources affecting the development site. Reason: In the interests of the amenity of future residents of the development and to ensure that the above criteria are met within the development in relation to road traffic and industrial noise. 15. That notwithstanding the requirements of Condition 1 the site layout shall be designed to comply with National Policy ‘Designing Streets’ and national policy. Reason: In the interests of design. 16. That notwithstanding the requirements of Condition 1, any subsequent detailed application must observe the open space and play provision standards set out in the Council's Developers Guide to Noise criteria Time frame Parameter Garden amenity areas Day time (07:00 to 23:00) 50dB LAeq (T) outdoors Living rooms Day time (07:00 to 23:00) 35dB LAeq (T) indoors Bedrooms Night time (23:00 to 07:00) 30dB LAeq (T) Indoors Page 31 of 85
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Open Space. The exception being front and side garden ground which should be justified by way of inclusion in the design statement. Reason: To ensure that adequate public open space, play provision and private garden areas are provided to serve the development. 17. That in addition to the details submitted under the terms of Condition 1, approval of matters specified in Condition 1 above shall include a design statement for the entire site in accordance with PAN 68 and for the avoidance of doubt this shall provide details of the proposed site layout, scale and mix of housing, design details, materials and height of dwellings and landscaping and open space provision. Reason: To enable the Planning Authority to consider these aspects in detail. 18. That notwithstanding the requirements of Condition 1, the landscaping proposals for the site shall include a planting strip at least 15 metres wide to the east and south boundaries of the site and at least 10 metres wide to the western boundary with the A73/A71 and further details submitted for these proposals shall include cross section drawings. Reason: In the interests of biodiversity, visual amenity and to create a satisfactory buffer with the adjoining Green Belt land, the Auchter Water and the main A73/A71 road. 19.That notwithstanding the requirement of Condition 1, the landscaping proposals shall include the integration of the least one continuous landscaped strip across the site in an east-west direction. Reason: In the interests of biodiversity and maintaining a wildlife corridor link between important habitats adjacent to the site. 20.That notwithstanding the requirements of Condition 1, a high quality, visually attractive frontage to the development shall be proposed for the western site boundary with the A71/A73; this shall include the landscaped strip required by Condition 18 and shall specifically not propose standard 1.8 metre high rear boundary fencing to dwellinghouses. Reason: In the interests of securing a high quality visual appearance to the development site, as seen from a prominent approach road to Newmains. 21. That as part of the details submitted with the application required under the terms of Condition 1 above, full details of any engineering works proposed to the Auchter Water river bank must be submitted to and approved by the Planning Authority, following consultation with SEPA and Greenspace. Furthermore, the Auchter Water shall be protected at all times during the course of development from any material to enter it from the application site and details of protective fencing shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority before any works commences upon the site. Reason: To ensure the adequate protection of this important watercourse and its habitat. 22. At least three months prior to the commencement of any works, a full site specific Waste Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority (in consultation with SEPA) and thereafter all work shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plan. For the avoidance of doubt this shall consider concrete and tree removal in particular. Reason: To avoid any significant harm to the environment. 23. That notwithstanding the terms of Condition 1 above, an updated Ecological Survey, carried out by an appropriately qualified Ecologist, shall be undertaken to determine the presence of statutorily protected species and submitted with all applications for the approval of Matters Specified in Condition for the written approval of the Planning Authority. The development shall then be carried out in accordance with the agreed terms of this survey and any appropriate mitigation provided. Reason: To accord with the provisions of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. Page 32 of 85
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24.That notwithstanding the terms of Condition 1 and 23 above, an updated Great Crested Newt Survey, carried out by an appropriately qualified Ecologist, shall be undertaken to determine the presence of this species and submitted with all applications for the approval of Matters Specified in Condition for the written approval of the Planning Authority. The development shall then be carried out in accordance with the agreed terms of this Survey and any appropriate mitigation provided. For the avoidance of doubt this survey shall be adhere to the Great Crested Newt Survey Methodology. Reason: To accord with the provisions of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. 25. That notwithstanding the terms of Condition 1 and 23 above, an updated Water vole Survey, carried out by an appropriately qualified Ecologist, shall be undertaken to determine the presence of this species and submitted with all applications for the approval of Matters Specified in Condition for the written approval of the Planning Authority. The development shall then be carried out in accordance with the agreed terms of this Survey and any appropriate mitigation provided. For the avoidance of doubt this survey shall be adhere to the water vole Survey Methodology. Reason: To accord with the provisions of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. 26. That the developer shall appoint an independent Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) to monitor over a period to be agreed through conditions 24 and 25 to ensure the required ecological mitigation works identified by the updated ecological surveys are implemented. For the avoidance of doubt the role of the Ecological Clerk of Works shall be defined within the agreed terms of the survey and shall be confirmed in advance of works commencing on site with the Planning Authority. Reason: In the interests of ensuring nature conservation mitigation measures for the site and surrounding area to accord with the provisions of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. 27. That before the development hereby permitted commences, details of mitigation measures for the protection, removal or relocation of all SP Energy Networks apparatus within the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority and thereafter the measures shall be undertaken prior to the development being brought into use. Reason: To protect all Scottish Power Energy Networks apparatus and in the interests of health and safety. 28. That prior to the occupation of the first dwelling within the site, new bus stops, the position of which has first been agreed in writing by the Planning Authority, shall be provided on Main Street. Reason: To provide improved public transport facilities and encourage the use of non-car modes of transport by future residents of the development. 29. That prior to the occupation of the first dwelling house within the site, the developer shall provide a new puffin crossing across the A73 in the vicinity of School Road, details of which shall be submitted to and approved in writing before any work commences on site. Reason: In the interests of providing good pedestrian access facilities to serve the development, which will encourage non-car modes of transport to local facilities. 30. That prior to the occupation of the 10th dwellinghouse within the development site, a scheme of traffic calming proposals for School Road, which has first been agreed in writing by the Planning Authority, shall be implemented at the developer’s expense. Reason: In the interests of traffic and pedestrian safety. 31. That accept as may otherwise be agreed in writing by the planning authority, the following roadworks shall be completed within the specified timeframe: Page 33 of 85
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a) that before the first dwellinghouse within the application site is occupied, one of the proposed roundabouts shall be operational and completed to a specification which shall be agreed in writing by the Roads Authority; b) the second roundabout shall be operational and completed to a specification which shall be agreed in writing by the Roads Authority before the 201st dwellinghouse is occupied within the site, also to a specification which shall be agreed in writing by the Roads Authority; c) that unless otherwise agreed by the planning authority, before the first dwellinghouse within the application site is occupied, a 2.0 metre minimum width footway shall be constructed along part of the frontage of the site (south of the southern Access) and prior to the occupation of the 201st dwellinghouse within the site being occupied, the 2.0 metre minimum width footway shall continue to the junction of the A73 with School Road. d) That notwithstanding the terms of Condition 1 above a scheme of phasing for all off site works including proposed improvements to the A73/A71/Manse Road junction layout shall be submitted in detail. Reason: In the interests of traffic and pedestrian safety. 32. That, except as may otherwise be agreed in writing by the Planning Authority, no public roads or footways shall be stopped up or otherwise diverted until the necessary orders have been obtained and an agreed alternative route/arrangement is open and available for use. Reason: To allow for the necessary statutory procedures to be carried out. Background Papers: Consultation Responses: Environmental Health (including Pollution Control) Scottish Environment Protection Agency The Coal Authority Strathclyde Partnership For Transport Scottish Power Environmental Planning Contact Information: Any person wishing to inspect these documents should contact Lisa Smith at planningenquiry@northlan.gov.uk Report Date: 20th June 2022 Page 34 of 85
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APPLICATION NO. 22/00156/S42 REPORT 1. Site Description 1.1 The entire development site is 15 ha in area, irregular in shape and is the site of the former Costain Concrete Works. The site is bounded to the west by the (A73) Main Street, Newmains with woodland and a petrol station beyond. To the north there is an operational industrial/commercial area which is significantly elevated above the boundary of the proposed residential site. The curtilage of two dwellings bounds the site to the north- west. In the north-eastern corner is a disused railway viaduct and former sewage works. The eastern boundary is formed by areas of woodland beyond Auchter Water characterised by its previous industrial legacy and interspersed natural vegetative regeneration and open space landscape and a modern residential extension to Morningside. Following some clearance and demolition works, the site it is now largely soil with any areas of hard standing with mounds of soil/spoil at the western side of the site. 2. Proposed Development 2.2 Planning permission is in place for a large housing development on this site which would be accessed via 2 new roundabouts on the A73. Condition 31 of that permission (ref 17/01248/PPP) requires the north roundabout to be in place before the first house is occupied and the second roundabout to be in place before the 201st house is occupied. The developer wishes to alter this wording to ensure that they can (as now intended) development in the south of the site first. All other aspects of condition 31 are unchanged and this change does not affect any other condition of 17/01248/PPP. 3. Applicant’s Supporting Information 3.1 Due to ground conditions of the site the applicant wishes to develop from south to north hence submitting this application to alter the existing specified roundabout sequencing. 4. Site History 4.1 04/02238/OUT Erection of 300 Houses and Associated Access, Parking and Landscaping (In Outline) 08/01066/OUT Construction of Residential Development, Local Shop and Community Building with related Open Space, Landscaping and Roads - approved 23rd September 2010. 17/01248/PPP Residential Development and Associated Infrastructure (in principle) - approved 21.07.2020. 21/00335/FUL Enabling Works Including Site Clearance, Formation of Accesses, Drainage Works, Mine Shaft Remedial Works and Earthworks (Including Importation of Material) Associated with Planning Consent 17/01248/PPP (Residential Development and Associated Infrastructure) – approved 20.09.2021. 22/00168/MSC 277 Dwellinghouses and associated infrastructure (application for approval of reserved matters specified in conditions of planning permission (in principle) 17/01248/PPP for residential development and associated infrastructure) – still being assessed. 22/00316/FUL Formation of Embankment (Part of Sustainable Urban Drainage System), Erection of Fencing with Associated Landscaping in connection with Planning Application 22/00168/MSC – still being assessed. Page 35 of 85
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22/00462/AMD Modification of existing Section 75 Planning Obligation relating to permission 17/01248/PPP (Reduction of education contribution for residential development) – currently under assessment. 5. Development Plan 5.1 The aspect of this application is not considered to be of strategic importance and therefore, the Strategic development Plan (Clydeplan) is not considered relevant. The site is covered by Policy HCF2 A1 (Sites for Short Term Housing Development) in the North Lanarkshire Local Plan. Polices DSP 1-4 (which cover amount, location, impact and quality of a development) are also relevant. 5.2 The North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan is now intended for adoption and is the emerging Local Development Plan for the council. Within this plan the site is designated as a Housing Development Site (Policy PROM LOC3) within the General Urban Area (Policy PP 3 Purpose of Place). Polices EDQ 1 Site Appraisal, EDQ 2 Specific Features for Consideration and EDQ 3 Quality of Development are also relevant. 6. Consultations 6.1 A summary of the comments received following the formal consultation process is as follows: NLC Pollution Control have no objection based on the planning condition for site investigations from 17/01248/PPP is duplicated in any re-issued consent. Scottish Power have no objection but have highlighted that they have an HV underground cable in the vicinity of the proposals. The Coal Authority has no objection on the basis that planning condition 5 of 17/01248/PPP is duplicated in any re-issued consent. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport had no comment to make. Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have no objection. 7. Representations No letters of representation have been received. 8. Planning Assessment 8.1 In accordance with Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, planning decisions must be made in accordance with the Development Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. North Lanarkshire Local Plan 8.2 The site is zoned for short term housing development as an addition to the Housing Land Supply under Policy HCF2 A1. As this application is linked to permitted applications 17/01248/PPP and 21/00335/FUL for the principle of and enabling works for a residential development, and is limited to the sequencing of roundabouts it is not considered to change any aspect of the previous assessment made. In addition, since these permissions were given there has been no significant changes that would merit a revisit of assessments previously undertaken. As such the proposed change to condition 31 is considered to comply with this local plan policy. 8.3 In terms of the Development Strategy Policies (DSP 1 – 4) which cover amount, location, impact and quality of a development respectively, the same principle as detailed in point 8.1 applies and the proposed change to condition 31 is considered to comply with these local plan policies. It is understood that the wording of condition 31 was originally intended to align with a previous phasing plan but the intention of the developer is currently to commence at the south of Page 36 of 85
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the site, and the proposed alteration to the wording of the condition would raise no issues of road safety and is considered acceptable. North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Intended for Adoption 8.4 The North Lanarkshire Local Development is the emerging Local Development Plan for the council with the site designated as a Housing Development Site (Policy PROM LOC3) within the General Urban Area (Policy PP 3 Purpose of Place). Polices AD 3 Amount of Development, EDQ 1 Site Appraisal, EDQ 2 Specific Features for Consideration and EDQ 3 Quality of Development are also relevant. As these policies largely reflect the policies of the existing adopted plan and the same principle as detailed in point 8.1 is considered to apply, the proposed change to condition 31 is considered to comply with these local development plan policies. 8.5 Consultations – There are no aspects of the consultations that raise concerns about the change proposed. It should be noted that all planning conditions for 17/01248/PPP will be restated to ensure issues raised previously by consultees, including those who have not responded to this application, will be addressed. 9. Conclusion 9.1 In conclusion, it is considered that the proposed change to condition 31 relating to the sequencing of roundabouts required in connection with 17/01248/PPP for a residential development in principle and permitted under 21/00335/FUL, as part of enabling works, is acceptable in terms of the policies set out in the North Lanarkshire Local Plan and the emerging North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. It is therefore recommended that planning permission is granted for the change proposed subject to a restatement of the changed condition together with all remaining conditions of 17/01248/PPP. Page 37 of 85
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Application No: 22/00175/PPP Proposed Development: Two dwellinghouses (in principle) Site Address: Site At Main Street Chapelhall North Lanarkshire Date Registered: 21st February 2022 Applicant: Mr & Mrs Tony & Khalda Stevenson 189 Honeywell Crescent Chapelhall Airdrie UK ML6 8XH Agent: Edwin Bonar CD Architects The Old School Business Centre 40 Rochsolloch Road Airdrie North Lanarkshire ML6 9BG Application Level: Local Application Contrary to Development Plan: No Ward: 12 Airdrie South Michael Joseph Coyle, Paul Di Mascio, Sandy Watson, Michael McBride, Representations: 6 letters of representation received. Recommendation: Reasoned Justification: The proposed development meets the criteria set out in the relevant policies contained within the North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012. The proposed development is acceptable in terms of its impact upon the site and can be accommodated without detriment to the surrounding residential area. Page 38 of 85
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Reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown Copyright and database right 2009. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100023396. Planning Application: 22/00175/PPP Name (of applicant): Mr & Mrs Tony & Khalda Stevenson Site Address: Site At Main Street Chapelhall North Lanarkshire Development: Two dwellinghouses (in principle) Page 39 of 85
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Proposed Conditions:- 1. That before the development starts, a further planning application shall be submitted to the Planning Authority in respect of the following matters specified in conditions:- (a) the siting, design and external appearance of all buildings and other structures; (b) the means of access to the site; (c) the layout of the site, including all roads, footways and parking areas; (d) the details of, and timetable for, the hard and soft landscaping of the site. (e) the provision of drainage works; (f) Details of existing and proposed site levels together with any retaining structures. Reason: To enable the Planning Authority to consider these aspects in detail. 2. That the application required under condition 1 above shall be accompanied by a certificate from a suitably qualified certifying that the details and positioning of all buildings proposed are fully compliant with the safety and clearance requirements of the statutory undertaker, Scottish Power, in relation to all adjacent electricity apparatus. Reason: In the interest of amenity and health and safety 3. Notwithstanding the requirements of Condition 1 above, the matters specified by conditions applications to be submitted shall comply with the following requirements:- (a) A maximum of 2 dwellings. (b) No dwelling shall exceed two storeys in height; (c) That each dwelling shall have its own in-curtilage parking area and shall be provided at the rate of 1-2 bedrooms = 2 spaces, 3-4 bedrooms = 3 spaces, 5+ bedrooms = 4 spaces. (d) The first 2.0m of the driveways shall be paved and drainage facilities to be provided to prevent surface water discharging onto the public road and footway if the driveway falls towards the public road; (e) A turning facility should be provided within the curtilage to allow vehicles to enter and exit in forward gear (f) A 2m wide footway to be provided over the frontage of the site and connecting to the east footway of Main Street or any other width agreed in advance with the Planning Authority. (g) Access to each plot to be via a 3.0m wide dropped kerb vehicular access to NLC specification (h) That unless agreed in writing by the Planning Authority the design and layout of the proposed development shall comply with the council’s approved Supplementary Planning Guidelines and the councils ‘Developer’s Guide to Open Space’ in terms of the minimum space standards and space around the dwellings and the avoidance of overlooking of neighbouring properties. In particular the nature and position of rear windows shall be designed to avoid any loss of privacy for the houses/gardens to the rear of the site; (i) That unless agreed in writing by the Planning Authority a visibility splay of 2.5m x 90 in both directions along Main Street to be provided. Fences, gates, private paths, vegetation etc should be located out with the visibility splays, or be constructed, placed or planted greater than 1.00m above the adjacent road channel level of these visibility splays. (j) That unless agreed in writing by the Planning Authority the existing turning head should be maintained or a new turning head to be provided (k) The landscape details should allow for the retention of the mature hawthorn that currently runs adjacent to Main Street and its enhancement with native species Reason: To define the permission and to ensure that the development is appropriate for the site and for the general area. Page 40 of 85
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4. Notwithstanding Condition 1 above, if works have not commenced by January 2023 then an updated Preliminary Ecological Appraisal is required to be submitted and approved by the Planning Authority. Reason: To enable the Planning Authority to consider these aspects in detail and in the interest of nature conservation.. 5. That PRIOR to any works of any description being commenced on the application site, a comprehensive site investigation report shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. The investigation must be carried out in accordance with current best practice, such as BS 10175: The Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites, or CLR 11. The report must include a site specific risk assessment of all relevant pollution linkages and a conceptual model. Depending on the results of the investigation, a detailed Remediation Strategy may be required as part of the above report. Reason To ensure that the site is free of contamination in the interests of the amenity of future residents. 6. That any remediation works identified by the Site investigation Report required in terms of Condition 6 above shall be carried out to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority prior to the first occupation of the houses hereby approved. Before any of the dwellinghouses are occupied a certificate (signed by a suitably qualified engineer) shall be submitted to the Planning Authority confirming that any remediation works have been carried out in accordance with the terms of the Remediation Strategy, Reason: To ensure the site is free of contamination in the interests of the amenity of future residents. 7. That BEFORE the development hereby permitted starts, full details of the design and location of all fences and walls to be erected on the site shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. Reason: In the interest of the visual Amenity of the area. 8. That BEFORE the dwellinghouses hereby permitted are occupied , any fence or walls approved under the terms of Condition 5 above shall be erected. Reason: In the interests of the visual amenity of the area. 9. That prior to the commencement of development, the applicant shall provide written confirmation to the Planning Authority that all the requirements of Scottish Water can be fully met to demonstrate that the development would not have an impact on their assets, and that suitable infrastructure can be put in place to support the development. Reason: To ensure the provision of satisfactory sewerage and surface water drainage arrangements. Background Papers: Consultation Responses: Traffic & Transportation received 14 March 2022 Environmental Health (including Pollution Control) received 16th May 2022 The Coal Authority received 07 March 2022 Scottish Power Environmental Planning received 15th March, 09 and 16 May 2022 NLC Greenspace received 14 March 2022 Page 41 of 85
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Contact Information: Any person wishing to inspect these documents should contact Mary Anne Watson at Planningenquiry@northlan.gov.uk Report Date: 20th June 2022 Page 42 of 85
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APPLICATION NO. 22/00175/PPP REPORT 1. Site Description 1.1 The application site comprises of an area of vacant land with an area of 2,840sqm. The area was previously woodland, however the trees and land were cleared before the planning application was received. The area of ground adjacent to the proposed site is owned by the applicant and has existing large pylon on it. To the east lies existing 2 storey dwellings. Two bungalows are located to the south west. Open space, garages and two storey dwellings to the west. Further north is a mixture of bungalows and two storey dwellings. 2. Proposed Development 2.1 Planning permission in principle is sought for 2 dwellinghouses. The application has provided an indicative layout plan with vehicular access taken from Main Street with a separate driveway for each dwelling. 3. Applicant’s Supporting Information 3.1 No supporting information was submitted as part of the application. 4. Site History 4.1 None 5. Development Plan 5.1 The application is zoned as HCF1A (Residential Amenity) where policy DSP4 (Quality of Development) is of relevance. 6. Consultations 6.1 Protective Services have no objection to the proposal subject to a Site Investigation report being submitted and approved to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority. Also, comments are given for issues such as noise, construction hours, lighting and dust emission which are to be added as informatives. 6.2 Roads Development Services have no objection to the proposal subject to comments regarding visibility splays, parking requirements and boundary treatments being met. 6.1 Coal Authority have no objection to the proposal. They consider that the content and conclusion of the submitted Mining Risk Assessment Report are sufficient for the purposes of the planning system in demonstrating that the application site is safe and stable of the proposed development. 6.2 Greenspace were extremely disappointed that the area was felled of trees before planning permission had been sought and before any protected species were undertaken. Greenspace have stated that if works have not commenced within 1year of the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (which was done in January 2022 and after tree felling took place) this will need to be updated. They request that the mature hawthorn hedgerow that runs adjacent to Main Street is kept and enhanced with native hedgerow species. Compensatory panting with native trees and plants must also be carried out to help mitigate for the loss of woodland and scrub that has been removed. These comments would be added as a condition. It should be noted that the removal of tree cover before planning permission is sought is not to be encouraged, there was no breach of planning regulations associated with the site clearance works. Page 43 of 85
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6.3 Scottish Power request confirmation that the development is outwith 15m of the outermost conductor at this location. Detailed plans would be required showing the structures, dimensions and distances from the outer conductor to the closest section of the building to confirm it is not within the safety distances. Nothing should be built in the area under the line and no trees etc to be planted, however if it is within 15m from the outer conductor area small structures like garages may be permitted upon consultation with Scottish Power to ensure its done within safety clearances and has no effect on the network operationally or from a maintenance point of view in future. They stated that developers have a responsibility to ensure that all clearances contained within HSE guidance are adhered to during construction work which will be added as an advisory note. 7. Representations Following the standard neighbour notification procedure and press advert 6 representations were received.. The matters raised can be summarised as follows: • Existing surface drainage is limited and will lead to increased surface water • Various concerns regarding the impact that the proposed two dwellinghouses would have on vehicles parking on the street. • No pavement is provided on the site. Entry to the cul-de-sac is a bus stop as the bus turns from Main Street to Honeywell Crescent there is no pavement here for passengers. • Hammerhead, that the plans show to be removed, should be retained for safe turning of vehicles ,within the cul-de-sac. • Vast woodland has been destroyed by the applicant over time which has affected the wildlife. • Will have to endure heavy ongoing noise pollution of the duration of building works. • Currently groups of people gather in the site brining trouble to the area. • Development will affect the desirability of existing homes and adversely affect future resale of properties. • Large pylons now seen due to the woodland being removed. • Does not want the pathway that runs parallel to Dalbeatie Breas rear gardens to be compromised. • overshadowing houses and gardens. • Lack of details regarding position of windows and doors. Proximity to dwellings is unclear. • Would like clarification on working hours and days and the program length if approved. • Plans do not consider the amount of pedestrian activity in the area. • Concerns regarding width of the road and the room and safety of pedestrians. • Clarification is access from Balcary Place throughout the project could be required? 8. Planning Assessment 8.1 Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 states that a planning application should be assessed against the relevant development plan polices unless material consideration indicate otherwise. In this case, the proposal is not of strategic significant and as such, should be assessed in terms of the relevant local plan policies. 8.2 The site is zoned as HCF1A , an existing residential area in the North Lanarkshire Local Plan and therefore the principle of residential development is acceptable and in accordance with the North Lanarkshire Local Plan. Page 44 of 85
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8.1 The North Lanarkshire Local Plan also requires all proposed developments to be assessed against policies DSP1 (Amount of Development), DSP2 (Location of Development), DPS3 (Impact of Development) and DSP4 (Quality of Development). Due to the HFC1A zoning and the limited scale and nature of development it is considered that the proposals raises no issues with regards to policies DSP1-3. 8.2 Policy DSP4 (Quality of Development) states that development will only be permitted when an appraisal has been carried out on the existing character and features of the site and its settings, including landscaping, biodiversity, heritage or amenity value and where high standards of site planning and sustainable design are achieved. Developments are required to integrate successfully into the local and wider area in terms of the suitability of the site and its setting avoiding any adverse impact on residential amenity and taking account of any transportation issues. 8.3 As this application is for permission in principle full details have not been submitted, however, the applicant has provided an indicative layout plan. It is considered that a proposed residential development, containing two dwellinghouses, could integrate satisfactorily with the surrounding land uses. It is considered that there is sufficient scope within the site to accommodate the two dwellinghouses without adversely impacting upon privacy or sunlight/daylight of neighbouring properties by meeting the minimum distance between existing properties, albeit detailed plans, house types, boundary treatment and parking layout would have to be given further consideration at matters specified in conditions stage. 8.4 In terms of the consultation responses it is considered that the consultees comments and recommendations can be covered by conditions and dealt with in the Matters Specified in Conditions applications. 8.5 The matters raised in the representation letters are address as follows: • Existing surface drainage is limited and will lead to increased surface water Comment: This will be dealt with in the Matters Specified in Conditions application. However, the development is not considered to cause an increase in surface water. • Various concerns regarding the impact that the proposed two dwellinghouses would have on vehicles parking on the street. Comment: The proposed dwellinghouses would have incurtilage parking. It is not considered that having 2 more dwellinghouses would have a significant impact on street parking. • No pavement is provided on the site. Entry to the cul-de-sac is a bus stop as the bus turns from Main Street to Honeywell Crescent there is no pavement here for passengers. Comment: A condition is attached that a footway is to be provided over the frontage of the site and connecting to the east footway of Main Street. • Hammerhead, that the plans show to be removed, should be retained for safe turning of vehicles ,within the cul-de-sac. Comment: A condition is proposed which will require the turning area to be retained or relocated. • Vast woodland has been destroyed by the applicant over time which has affected the wildlife. Comment: As noted above, the woodland has been removed and did not require planning permission. • Will have to endure heavy ongoing noise pollution of the duration of building works. Comment: As with any development there will be an element of disturbance. These matters are regulated outwith the planning regime. • Currently groups of people gather in the site brining trouble to the area. Page 45 of 85
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Comment:. Having houses on the site would likely prevent this. • Development will affect the desirability of existing homes and adversely affect future resale of properties. Comment: This is not a material planning consideration. • Large pylons now seen due to the woodland being removed. Comment: As noted above the removal of the tree cover was carried out before planning permission was sought. The pylons are morevisible but these are very large structures and the difference would be considered minimal and within acceptable limits. • Does not want the pathway that runs parallel to Dalbeatie Breas rear gardens to be compromised. Comment: It is noted that part of the site may have been used by dog walkers etc but there is no known publica right of way across the site. • Overshadowing houses and gardens. Comment: It is considered that the development can be designed in a way that will not cause any overshadowing. This will be considered in more detail in the matters specified in condition application. • Lack of details regarding position of windows and doors. Proximity to dwellings is unclear. Comment: The application is planning in principle so detailed such as location of dwellings, layout, parking etc will be considered in more detail in the matters specified in condition application. • Would like clarification on working hours and days and the program length if approved. Comment: The Planning Department cannot give a time scale on how long the works would take. If approved the permission would be valid for 3 years and this is the same for the application for matters specified in condition application which would be valid for 3 years aswell. • Plans do not consider the amount of pedestrian activity in the area. Concerns regarding width of the road and the room and safety of pedestrians. Comment: A planning condition will require a footway along the site frontage. • Clarification if access from Balcary Place throughout the project could be required? Comment: Access to the development is via Main Street. Any other means of access during construction works would be for the developer and local land owners to agree. Material Consideration 8.6 In the emerging North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan – Modified Proposed Plan the site is zoned similar to the policies contained in the North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012 and is therefore considered to comply with the policies in the proposed North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. 9. Conclusions To conclude, taking account of the development plan and all material considerations the proposed development is considered to be acceptable and can be accommodated at this location without detriment to the wider residential area. It is therefore recommended that permission in principle be granted, subject to conditions. Page 46 of 85
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Application No: 22/00261/FUL Proposed Development: Change of Use to Film Studio (Class 5) Site Address: Units and Land at Buchanan Business Park Cumbernauld Road Stepps G33 6HZ Date Registered: 27th April 2022 Applicant: Buchanan Tower Ltd Suite 16 Buchanan Tower Stepps G33 6H2 Agent: Andrew Woodrow Centrum Business Centre 38 Queen Street Glasgow G1 3DX Application Level: Local Application Contrary to Development Plan: Yes Ward: 05 Stepps, Chryston and Muirhead John McLaren , Josh Cairns & Claire Louise Williams Representations: 1 letter(s) of representation received. Recommendation: Approve Subject to Conditions Reasoned Justification: The development is considered to be an acceptable departure from Policy HCF 2 A1 Sites for (Short-term) Housing Development in the North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012 given the existing and proposed use and its integration into the local area including reduced impact on residential amenity and as such complies with Policy DSP 4 (Quality of Development). Page 47 of 85
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Reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown Copyright and database right 2009. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100023396. Planning Application: 22/00261/FUL Name (of applicant): Buchanan Tower Ltd Site Address: Units and Land at Buchanan Business Park Cumbernauld Road Stepps Development: Change of Use to Film Studio (Class 5) Page 48 of 85
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Proposed Conditions:- 1. That the development hereby permitted shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved details submitted as part of the application and no change to those details shall be made without prior written approval of the Planning Authority. Reason: To clarify the drawings on which this approval of permission is founded. 2. That, notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, the permission hereby granted shall relate solely to a Film Studio use included within Class 5 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997. For the avoidance of doubt, no other Class 5 uses shall be carried out from any part of the application site. Reason: To define the permission and in the interests of neighbouring amenity. 3. That, on cessation of the Film Studio use within any of the units and/or surrounding land, the use of the units and/or land will revert back to Class 6 (Storage and Distribution) use. Reason: To define the permission. 4. That, except as may otherwise be agreed in writing with the Planning Authority, any equipment, vehicles or storage containers associated with the film studio use shall not be stored to a height exceeding 5.5 metres on any external areas on the site. Reason: To enable the Planning Authority to retain effective control, in order to protect neighbouring amenity. 5. Further details shall be submitted for the approval in writing of the Planning Authority before these external areas are utilised for external filming or other film related activity (including details of hours and days of the week) and the areas shall not be used until written approval is obtained. Following approval for external filming or other film related the external areas shall be utilised in accordance with the approved details. Reason: To enable the Planning Authority to retain effective control, in order to protect neighbouring amenity Background Papers: Consultation Responses: None Contact Information: Kirsten Devlin at Planningenquiry@northlan.gov.uk Report Date: 20th June 2022 Page 49 of 85
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APPLICATION NO. 22/00261/FUL REPORT 1. Site Description 1.1 The application site forms part of Buchanan Business Park in Stepps. It consists of warehouses on the western portion of the Business Park and significant areas of outdoor land to the south used for car parking and storage. 1.2 The warehouses are currently vacant with their last use related to that of the remainder of the site which is a storage and distribution use that falls under Class 6 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997. 2. Proposed Development 2.1 The proposal is to change the use of the warehouses and associated land within the application site from Class 6 (Storage and Distribution) to a Film Studio, which falls within Class 5 (General Industrial) of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997. 2.2 The initial proposal was to change all of the site to Class 5 (General Industrial) uses which, if approved, could result in industrial processes being carried out in close proximity to residential properties (directly west). These industrial uses could be detrimental to neighbouring amenity in terms of giving off noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, soot, ash, dust or grit. The Planning Authority raised concerns about the matter with the applicant who agreed to amend the application to a film studio alone – and for no other Class 5 use. 2.3 Application ref: 22/00262/FUL to change units and associated land within the eastern portion of Buchanan Business Park to a film studio was granted on 14th June 2022. This application was dealt with under delegated powers as the proposal was in accordance with Policy EDI1 A1 (industrial policies) contained within the North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012, which seeks to support the continuing industrial and business character of existing industrial areas. 3. Applicant’s Supporting Information 3.1 No supporting information has been received or was requested. 4. Site History 4.1 The site has been the subject of the following planning applications: • 01/01516/OUT Erection of Residential Development, Business Units, Industrial Units, Retail Unit and Leisure Unit plus Refurbishment of Existing Buildings and Formation of Additional Access (Outline) • 01/01595/FUL Construction of (a) New Road Access, (b) Roundabout at Existing Access and (c) Internal Roads and Parking Area • 02/01194/REM External Alterations to Building • 03/00955/FUL Construction of 53 Dwellinghouses • 04/01496/FUL Construction of a Gatehouse • 05/00105/AMD Construction of a Gatehouse (Amendment to Consent N/04/01496/FUL) • 07/01512/FUL Construction of a Car Park • 11/00637/PPP Mixed Use Development Comprising Class 4 Business Use, Housing, Community Facilities and a Retail Unit with Ancillary Petrol Filling Station and Associated Works (In Principle) • 12/01347/ADV Erection of Advertising Signage • 16/00952/ADV Installation of 3 Illuminated Fascia Signs • 16/01347/AMD Renewal of Planning Permission in Principle 11/00637/PPP for Mixed Use Development Comprising Class 4 Business Use, Housing, Community Facilities and a Retail Unit with Ancillary Petrol Filling Station and Associated Works Page 50 of 85
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• 17/00495/AMD Modification to Wording of Legal Agreement relating to Planning Permission • 16/01347/AMD (Mixed Use Development Comprising Class 4 Business Use, Housing, Community Facilities and a Retail Unit with Ancillary Petrol Filling Station and Associated Works (In Principle) • 20/00974/ADV Illuminated Fascia Sign • 22/00262/FUL Change of Use to Film Studio (Class 5) 5. Development Plan 5.1 The proposal raises no strategic issues and can therefore be assessed in terms of Local Plan policies. The site is covered by Policy HCF 2 A1 Sites for (Short-term) Housing Development in the North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012. This policy aims to satisfy housing demand in the period up to 2011. 5.2 Policy DSP4 Quality of Development also applies and ensures development integrates successfully into the local area and avoids harm. 6. Consultations 6.1 No consultations were required. 7. Representations 7.1 1 letter of representation was received following the neighbour notification and advertisement process. The points raised and comments thereon are as follows: Point of Objection: The proposal is contrary to the housing site zoning contained within the North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012 and as such should be refused planning permission. Comment: The proposal is contrary to the housing designation in the local plan, which reflects lapsed planning permissions for residential development on the site. Under Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, planning decisions must be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The application site forms a significant part of the business park which has a long-established Class 6 (Storage and Distribution) Use. The use as a film studio (considered a Class 5 use as filming is an industrial process) is considered to have significantly less implications for surrounding amenity than the current usage of the site. The filming will be carried out from within the units and as such they will require sound proofing to keep external noise sources out, which in turn ensures there is reduced noise nuisance for neighbouring properties. Point of Objection: The current Class 6 (Storage and Distribution) Use causes noise, disturbance and light pollution issues for the neighbouring residents. Approving Class 5 (General Industrial) use could allow disruptive industries to operate from the site to the detriment of residential amenity in terms of giving off noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, soot, ash, dust or grit. Comment: The above concerns regarding unrestricted general industrial usage (Class 5) over the whole of the site were shared by the Planning Authority given the close proximity of residential properties at Scapa Way, Speyburn Place and Inchgower Road. These concerns were raised at an early stage in the application process which resulted in the proposal being amended to a film studio alone. A planning condition also ensures that no other Class 5 uses can be carried out from the site without planning permission. Point of Objection: No explanation has been given as to why a film studio requires a Class 5 use. Comment: Under Planning legislation an industrial process includes the making of a film, video or sound recording, therefore a film studio falls within Class 5 (General Industrial) of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997. Page 51 of 85
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Point of Objection: The planning application should be targeted to the areas required and should not cover the whole of the site. Comment: The Planning Authority sees no issue with the film studio use covering the whole site. It is accepted that the studio will be smaller in scale initially with more warehouses and portions of outdoor space being utilised over time if the business is successful. Point of Objection: The Council seems to wish any development to take place on the site without consideration for the local residents. They also omitted information about what Use Class 5 entails. Comment: The Planning Authority’s role is to determine whether the proposals it receives are acceptable. The development description is considered sufficiently clear and precise. 8. Planning Assessment 8.1 Under Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, planning decisions must be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. 8.2 Development Plan: North Lanarkshire Local Plan: The site is covered by Policy HCF 2 A1 Sites for (Short-term) Housing Development in the North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012. This policy aims to satisfy housing demand in the period up to 2011. The proposal is therefore contrary to the housing site local plan policy although it can be considered an acceptable departure given its integration into the local area and reduced impact on the amenity of the adjacent residents (which is discussed in more detail below). 8.3 The North Lanarkshire Local Plan also requires proposed developments to be assessed against policies DSP 1 (Amount of Development), DSP 2 (Location of Development), DSP 3 (Impact of Development) and DSP 4 (Quality of Development). Due to the scale and nature of the development the proposal raises no issues with regards to Policies DSP 1, DSP2, and DSP3. Policy DSP 4 (Quality of Development) sets out that development will only be permitted where high standards of site planning and sustainable design are achieved. This policy sets out criteria and requirements in this respect which include: character and setting, integration into the local area, impact on traffic circulation and local roads network and avoiding harm to the neighbouring amenity. When assessed against the terms of policy DSP4 (Quality of Development), it is considered that the proposal will integrate well into the surrounding locale as a film studio and will likely be significantly less intrusive than the current storage and distribution use. The warehouses inside which the filming will take place will require soundproofing to keep external noise sources out, in turn, ensuring significantly less noise and disturbance than the current use. The existing road network and significant areas of outdoor space for parking, manoeuvring and storage within the site also ensures there will be no significant impact on the traffic circulation and the local road network. 8.4 North Lanarkshire Council Local Development Plan Modified Proposed Plan: Changes have been made to the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Modified Proposed Plan following publication of the Report of Examination on 24 May 2021 by the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA). Following approval by the Planning Committee in November 2021, the Plan as amended has been submitted to the Scottish Ministers for approval to adopt. Scottish Ministers have advised that they have extended the period to assess the Plan. Once Adopted, the North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012 will be superseded. This is a material consideration. 8.5 The application site is a Proposed Housing Development Site under Policy PROM LOC3 which reflects the designation in the current Local Plan. Policy EDQ3 (Development Quality) reflects the requirements of existing policy DSP 4. Page 52 of 85
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9. Conclusions 9.1 The proposal is considered an acceptable departure to Policy HCF 2 A1 Short-term Housing Development of the North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012 and complies with DSP4 – Quality of Development. As such, and notwithstanding the representation received, for the reasons given above it is recommended that planning permission be approved subject to conditions. Page 53 of 85
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North Lanarkshire Council Report PLANNING COMMITTEE Agenda item _________ approval noting Ref PH/SW Date PLANNING AND ENFORCEMENT NOTICE APPEALS LODGED From HEAD OF PLANNING AND REGENERATION Email humphriesp@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 01236 632500 Executive Summary 1. Purpose of Report 1.1 This report is to advise the Committee of the undernoted planning appeals recently lodged with the Scottish Ministers. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee notes the position. Background Application No. Applicant Date of Council Form of Note & Proposal & Site Decision Appeal 21/00003/FUL Residential Development of 61 Dwellinghouses (including changes to levels) Mrs Senga Drummond 173 Mill Road Allanton Shotts North Lanarkshire ML7 5DD 23/03/2022 Written Submission 21/00896/FUL Erection of 2No. Industrial Warehouses with Car Parking and Distribution Yard Clowes Developments (Scotland) Ltd Land North Of Belgowan Street / West Of Leggate Way Bellshill Industrial Estate Bellshill North Lanarkshire 24/02/2022 Written Submission AGENDA ITEM 3 Page 55 of 85
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20/00776/FUL Redevelopment of site (including demolition of buildings and retention of one existing Use Class 5 Industrial Unit (Unit F)) to form 24 additional Units comprising Class 6, 5 and 4 uses with associated parking, infrastructure, landscaping and boundary treatments. Tyger Security/DB Auto Repair Redevelopment of site (including demolition of buildings and retention of one existing Use Class 5 Industrial Unit (Unit F)) to form 24 additional Units comprising Class 6, 5 and 4 uses with associated parking, infrastructure, landscaping and boundary treatments. 29.03.2022 Written Submission PAMELA HUMPHRIES HEAD OF PLANNING AND REGENERATION Page 56 of 85
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North Lanarkshire Council Report PLANNING COMMITTEE Agenda item _________ approval x noting Ref LB/SW Date NOTICE OF PLANNING AND ENFORCEMENT APPEALS DECISIONS From HEAD OF PLANNING AND REGENERATION Email humphriesp@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 01236 632500 Executive Summary 1. Purpose of Report 1.1 This report is to advise the Committee of the recent decisions in respect of the undernoted planning appeals. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee note the decision in respect of this appeal. Background Application No. & Proposal Applicant & Site Appeal Decision & Date Note 21/01229/FUL Change of Use of Industrial Unit to Gym (Retrospective) Flex Fitness 70 Elison Court Muirhouse Motherwell North Lanarkshire ML1 2DN Appeal Dismissed 29/03/2022 21/01315/FUL Change of use from dwellinghouse to office (Class 4) Olison Ltd 19 Victoria Place Cairnhill Airdrie North Lanarkshire ML6 9BU Appeal Dismissed 09/05/2022 PAMELA HUMPHRIES HEAD OF PLANNING & REGENERATION (27-01-2022) AGENDA ITEM 4 Page 57 of 85
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Planning Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref Date 30/06/22 North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Update and Development Plan Scheme 2022 From Pamela Humphries, Head of Planning and Regeneration E-mail laingg@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07970018874 1. Background 1.1 Members will be aware that the Development Plan for North Lanarkshire is at Adoption stage and that the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced a new system of Development planning for Scotland. Consultations were carried out in relation to National planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and Local Development Plan (LDP) Regulations and Guidance in late 2021 into spring 2022. These contained significantly more detailed requirements than in the Act and to date and the Government is currently considering responses to the consultation with a view to publishing modified proposals later this year. 1.2 The Council published a Development Plan Scheme in April 2021 which took account of the available information on the implementation of the Act and laid out an indicative timeline accordingly. In accordance with current legislative requirements and considering the current position with each of these factors a revised Development Plan Scheme has now been prepared for publication. Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to update members on the preparation of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan and agree the Development Plan Scheme 2022, which details the revised timetable for the Plan. Recommendations It is recommended that Committee note the contents of the report and agrees the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Development Plan Scheme 2022. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve economic opportunities and outcomes Ambition statement (5) Grow and improve the sustainability and diversity of North Lanarkshire's economy AGENDA ITEM 5 Page 59 of 85
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2. Report Modified Proposed Plan 2.1 Following publication of the Report of Examination of the Modified Proposed North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan and in accordance with decisions of the Planning Committee in November 2021 the Plan Intended for Adoption was submitted to the Scottish Government on 31st March 2022. The Government has formally extended the period for consideration twice, to 22nd June 2022. North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Development Plan Scheme 2022 2.2 The North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Development Plan Scheme is attached at Appendix 1 and sets out annually the stages and timetable being followed to deliver the Local Development Plan. The 2022 Scheme has been updated to reflect the time taken to complete previous stages and the expected timescales for the remaining stages in the plan process, with Adoption of the Local Development Plan expected in summer 2022. The Scheme also incorporates the North Lanarkshire Council Local Development Plan Stakeholder Engagement Strategy which will form the basis of a new Participation Statement and Engagement Strategy for LDP2. 2.3 There remain significant material uncertainties around crucial legislative, regulatory and strategic obligations and considerations. Although these impact directly on the Council’s ability to prepare a detailed Scheme for the preparation and delivery of the next LDP the section relating to LDP2 has been updated to reflect information contained in Government consultations on NPF4 and the LDP Regulations and Guidance. Based on our understanding of the changes outlined above, delays in Adopting NPF4 and LDP Regulations and an assessment of the likely timescales to carry out this work undertaken by Heads of Planning Scotland this includes information on • Status of existing Plans, Policies, Strategies and legislation that affect the LDP process • North Lanarkshire LDP2 Process • North Lanarkshire LDP2 Indicative Timetable to adoption potentially in 2027 3. Measures of success 3.1 The long-term aim of the Plan is to increase sustainable growth and regeneration, and to improve places in support of our Corporate Vision. The Plan looks to achieve this through policies used to determine applications for planning permission 5.2 3.2 In particular the Plan will support delivery against the Improving economic opportunities and outcomes priority and provides the policy framework through which the Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan can deliver against the land use aspects of the Council’s Ambition, including • Housing regeneration/ re−provisioning • Town Centre Regeneration • Business and Industry • Infrastructure development 4. Supporting documentation North Lanarkshire Council Development Plan Scheme 2022 Page 60 of 85
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Pamela Humphries Head of Planning and Regeneration Page 61 of 85
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5. Impacts ( http://connect/report-template-guidance ) 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality-and-fairer- scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Page 62 of 85
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Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? Page 63 of 85
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1 Appendix 1 NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN SCHEME June 2022 North Lanarkshire Council Planning and Regeneration Page 64 of 85
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2 CONTENTS Page 1 Introduction 2 2 The Statutory Development Plan 2 For North Lanarkshire 3 Local Development Plan 4 4 Local Development Plan Timescales 5 5 North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 7 6 North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2 8 7 Participation Statement & Engagement Strategy 13 8 Contacting the Development Plan Team 13 North Lanarkshire Council Local Development Plan Stakeholder Engagement Strategy 14 Page 65 of 85
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3 1 Introduction North Lanarkshire Council is required to publish a Development Plan Scheme that sets out the programme for preparing and reviewing Development Plans, and what is likely to be involved at each stage. It must be updated annually and include: - A programme for preparing and reviewing the Local Development Plan; - Set out what is likely to be involved at each stage; - A Participation Statement setting out when, how and with whom consultation on the plan will take place; - The authority’s proposals for public involvement in the plan preparation process. The Development Plan Scheme for North Lanarkshire was first published in April 2011. The Council was unable to prepare a 2020 Development Plan Scheme, owing to adjustments introduced in response to Covid-19, not least the move to remote working and initial suspension of Committee consideration of non-application matters, along with the need to concentrate resources on preparations for the Modified Proposed Plan Examination. In addition, Covid-19 led to the Scottish Government pushing back implementation of key elements of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, resulting in continuing material uncertainty and delay. 2 The Statutory Development Plan for North Lanarkshire Development Plans set out policies and proposals for the future development and use of land in our towns and countryside; where development should, or should not, happen and how development affects its surroundings. They are the basis for decision making on planning applications. They consider a wide range of land use matters including economic development and infrastructure, retail and town centres, housing and community facilities and the natural and built environment with a view to creating high quality, sustainable places. The current Development Plan for North Lanarkshire consists of the Clydeplan Strategic Development Plan, the North Lanarkshire Local Plan and a suite of Supplementary Planning Guidance notes. These are informed by the National Planning Framework for Scotland. Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPGs) North Lanarkshire Local Plan (NLLP) Clydeplan Strategic Development Plan (CSDP) National Planning Framework for Scotland (NPF) Page 66 of 85
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4 The National Planning Framework for Scotland is produced by the Scottish Government and sets out, in broad terms, the Scottish Ministers’ strategy and priorities for Scotland’s spatial development. National Planning Framework 3, came into effect in June 2014. NPF 4 is expected to be Adopted in late 2022. The Clydeplan Strategic Development Plan is prepared by the 8 constituent councils that make up the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority and sets out a long-term Spatial Vision and Spatial Development Strategy for the wider Glasgow city-region until 2036. It was Approved by Scottish Ministers on 24 July 2017 The North Lanarkshire Local Plan was prepared by North Lanarkshire Council and sets out more detailed policies and proposals to guide development in North Lanarkshire over the next 5 – 10 years. It was Adopted on 28 September 2012. Supplementary Planning Guidance notes prepared by North Lanarkshire Council provide more detailed guidance on specific issues. There are currently 30 adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance Notes for North Lanarkshire. 3 Local Development Plan The North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan will replace the North Lanarkshire Local Plan. It will contain a spatial strategy, proposals map, action programme for identified developments and schedule of the local authority’s land interests affected by Plan policies or proposals. It will focus on specific proposals for the period up to Year 10 from Adoption. The Local Development Plan will be integrated with Council and Partner statutory plans and strategies affecting the development of land. It will take account of the National Planning Framework and be consistent with its relevant Strategic Development Plan and other plans, including The Community Plan and Local Housing Strategy. Statutory and other Assessments of The North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan The Local Development Plan is required to include the following: - A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) – a process of scoping potential environmental impacts resulting from future Local Development Plan development strategy, policy or proposals. This will be carried out in conjunction with Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Scotland. - Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) (North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan’s incorporates a Human Rights Impact Assessment and the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) – a process for ensuring that Local Development Plan strategy, policy or proposal address potential impacts on disadvantaged individuals or groups and assessing them against broader impacts on health and wellbeing. - Habitats Regulations Appraisal Record – a process for assessing Local Development Plan strategy, policies and proposals against potential impacts on Natura 2000 sites and set out potential mitigation. Page 67 of 85
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5 4 Local Development Plan Timescales The intended timescales for preparing the Local Development Plan, together with accompanying Strategic Environmental Assessment are laid out below Local Development Plan Process Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Process Timeline Development Plan Scheme Participation Statement Updated Annually Call for Sites (CfS) Parameters Engagement Call – 10 weeks July-Sept 2013 Main Issues Report (MIR) Pre-MIR Analysis & Engagement Monitoring Statement & Main Issues Report SEA Scoping 2014 Jan-May 2015 Main Issues Report Report on Responses and Site Options Consultation Draft Environmental Report April 2016 Consultation on MIR Outcomes - 8 weeks Apr 2016 Proposed Plan Proposed Plan Document & Maps Additional Consultation Key Agencies/Partners/ Infrastructure Providers Jan 2017 Environmental Report to SEA Gateway Proposed Plan Consultation – 7 weeks Mar 2017 Modified Proposed Plan Modified Plan Document & Maps Planning Sub Committee Approval Sep 2018 Additional Consultation Key Agencies/Partners/ Infrastructure Providers Jan 2019 Environmental Report to SEA Gateway Feb-April 2019 Modified Plan Consultation – 8 weeks Feb-April 2019 Examination Preparation Submit Plan (Schedule 4s) Proposed Plan Document & Maps Action Programme July 2020 Page 68 of 85
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6 Local Development Plan Process Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Process Timeline Examination – Outwith Council Control Commenced 20th October 2020 Further Information Requests 2020/21 Report of Examination May 2021 Adoption process Submit Plan for Adoption Amend Environmental Report March 2022 Formal Adoption 2022 Post Adoption Environmental Report 2022 5 North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Local Development Plan Process The Council undertook a 10-week Call for Sites in 2013, during which some 175 sites were promoted. A Main Issues Report (MIR) was published in March 2015 outlining key changes affecting North Lanarkshire since Adoption of North Lanarkshire Local Plan in 2012, covering the Council’s preferred options for development in North Lanarkshire and alternative development strategies and sites. 45 additional sites were introduced during the 11-week consultation period, making a total of 220 sites submitted for consideration. In April 2016, the Council approved a Report on the outcomes of the Main Issues Report and the Urban Boundary Review, outlining which of the 220 sites were likely to be included wholly or in part in any forthcoming Plan. The Proposed Plan was approved in August 2016 and published in January 2017 for a 7-week consultation period, containing the Council’s final proposals and policies. Engagement stage included the opportunity to submit formal objections and for those objections to ultimately be determined through an Examination held by Scottish Government Reporters. All development site owners / occupiers / neighbours were notified and a schedule of proposals affecting land in Council ownership was prepared. The Proposed Plan and associated documents resulted in some 1,594 representations being received. Local Development Plan Modified Proposed Plan, Examination & Adoption The Development Plan Scheme February 2018 outlined the Council’s intention to prepare a Modified Proposed Plan, in light of the Scottish Ministers’ decision to Approve the Clydeplan Strategic Development Plan being subject to Legal Challenge, which concluded in March 2018. The Modified Proposed Plan updated the Plan and afforded a further opportunity to anyone who wished to make comment/objection through an 8-week period of consultation that ended in April 2019. 407 contributions were received during that consultation period and these were validated, acknowledged and categorised in order to derive the necessary documentation for unresolved issues (objections) to be sent for Examination by Scottish Government Reporters, along with the Modified Proposed Plan. The Examination formally began on 20 October 2020 and is expected to take 6-9 months The Plan includes all relevant land-use strategies, policies, development proposals and maps. It is available on the Council website. Completed Stages Page 69 of 85
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7 It contains: A vision statement for North Lanarkshire setting out how development of the area could be undertaken and what it might look like. A spatial strategy incorporating a detailed statement of policies and development proposals for the area to achieve the vision. A long-term sustainable settlement strategy is included that will meet Council needs, priorities and aspirations, with details of Infrastructure requirements related to planned growth. Supplementary Guidance The Plan has a focus on vision, spatial strategy, overarching and other key policies and proposals. Detailed material associated with the development strategy will be contained in supplementary guidance. Changes brought in by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 will affect the Council’s ability to produce Supplementary Guidance, as the Section 9 of the 2019 Act, on commencement, removes any provisions for preparing and adopting statutory Supplementary Guidance. This may have an impact on the contents of future Local Development Plans. Action Programmes A Local Development Plan Action Programme has been prepared to assist in delivering the Plan’s objectives. It includes: - list of actions required to deliver each of the Plan’s policies and proposals - names of parties responsible for each action - timescale for implementation The Action Programme accompanied the Modified Proposed Plan to Examination. It will be confirmed within 3 months of Plan Adoption, reviewed and updated every 2 years. Examination and Adoption As outlined, Examination of the Modified Proposed Plan commenced on 20th October 2020. The Report of Examination was published in May 2021 The report deals with 35 unresolved issues identified by the Council and recommends changes in both the presentation and content of some policies within the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Modified Proposed Plan documents. Of particular note in the are:- • Merging of all Guidance sections into Policy • A replacement PROM LOC3 Policy on Promoting Housing Development Sites • Replacement of the Housing Land Requirements Appendix and substitution of the 2019 Housing Land Audit sites for the 2017 Housing Land Audit Sites • A replacement section in Policy PROM ID2 Utilities Improvements on Renewable Energy In addition to these Recommended changes the Council received a letter in August 2021 from the DPEA confirming that any changes required because of the Recommendations made by the Reporters should also be made. In accordance with the Regulations a number of further changes of a grammatical, typographical or factual nature have also been made to the text within the Policy Document. Following in-depth analysis of the Recommendations, and consequential changes and amendments, there is only one instance where the Council is seeking to depart from the Recommendations. This is in respect of the Reporters’ Recommendations at Issues 010 and 012. These Recommendations are contradictory in that they call for the designation of different numbers of Commercial Centres under a description which does not apply to them all. Page 70 of 85
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8 The Plan Intended for Adoption was submitted to the Scottish Government in March 2022. Adoption is expected in summer 2022. 6 North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2 Implications of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduces significant and far reaching changes to the development planning system in Scotland. A “Purpose for Planning” which makes provisions for the Development Plan to manage the development and use of land in the long-term public interest, contributing to sustainable development and achieving national outcomes. The Act changes the current hierarchy of plans by enhancing the status of the National Planning Framework (NPF) merging it with Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) to produce a high level plan for Scotland which, amongst other things, sets out how the Scottish Ministers consider development will contribute to achieving the National Outcomes, sets out targets for housing and identifies national developments. This statutory document is to be prepared by the Scottish Ministers and reviewed every 10 years, rather than every 5 years which is the current requirement. The requirement for the preparation of strategic development plans (SDPs) is removed and instead introduces the requirement for planning authorities, working alone, or in partnership with two or more planning authorities to form strategic partnerships, to prepare and adopt a Regional Spatial Strategy. A planning authority must adopt a regional spatial strategy as soon as practicable after this part of the Act comes into force and the Government has the power to direct planning authorities to prepare and adopt such strategies. Regional Spatial Strategies will inform the NPF and Local Development Plans (LDPs). The NPF and Local Development Plans are to be prepared at least every 10 years rather than every 5 years. The requirement for the production of a Main Issues Report (MIR) for Local Development Plans is removed and replaced with an Evidence Report. The Evidence Report will require to be examined by an independent Reporter at the start of the plan process who will then decide if the information in the report is sufficient for the Planning Authority to start preparation of the Local Development Plan. A further significant change is the introduction of the right for communities to come together and prepare Local Place Plans (LPPs). Before preparing a Local Development Plan, a Planning Authority must invite local communities in their district to prepare LPPs, stating the date by which they must be prepared and details of the assistance available for local communities to prepare LPPs. In preparing its LDP the planning authority must have regard to LPPs. Other changes introduce requirements for Development Plans introduced by the Act include the carrying out of Play Sufficiency Assessments, preparation of Open Space Strategies to inform the LDP. Additionally, on commencement of Section 15 of the Act, it will be required to gather evidence and prepare policies and proposals on subjects new to land use planning, including the provision of water refill locations and public conveniences, as well as making informed statements on matters relating to health, education and cultural venues. There remains no guidance, or indication as to how these tasks are to be carried out and how they relate to the policies and proposals of the authorities responsible, often statutorily, for these matters. The Act also removes the ability for Planning authorities to prepare and publish Statutory Supplementary Planning Guidance in support of a LDP. The provisions of the Act affecting Development Plans have not been commenced to date and the Government intends to consult on regulations on these matters throughout 2021 making it difficult to be precise regarding the timetabling of the preparation of the next Local Development Plan. LDP 2 North Lanarkshire Council is already considering the processes and project planning required to deliver its second Local Development Plan. However, there remain significant material uncertainties around crucial legislative, regulatory and strategic obligations and considerations that impact directly on the Council’s ability to prepare appropriately. These include the Page 71 of 85
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9 • Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 Implementation Timetable o LDP Implications o DM Implications to be included in LDPs • Local Development Planning Regulations o Timetable o Contents • National Planning Framework 4 and Scottish Planning Policy o Timetable o Contents o Applicability to Development Planning o Delivery strategy • Regional Spatial Strategy o Timetable o Contents o Status in Development Planning Based on our understanding of the changes outlined above and an assessment of the likely timescales to carry out this work undertaken by Heads of Planning Scotland the following tables have been prepared outlining the range of Plans, Policies, Strategies and legislation that affect the LDP process, the process of developing and an indicative timetable for production of LDP2. Page 72 of 85
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10 Local Development Plan and Related Strategies & Polices, Lead Authorities and Current Status Plan and related Strategies & Policies Lead Current Status North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan (Modified Plan) NLC Plan Intended for Adoption submitted to Scottish Government in March 2022. Adoption expected in late 2022. National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) incorporating Scottish Planning policy (SPP) SG Government laid the draft NPF4 in the Scottish Parliament in December 2021 with public consultation at that stage. The responses are now being assessed with a revised NPF4 expected in mid to late 2022 with Adoption thereafter. Regional Spatial Strategy (non- statutory) GCR - Clydeplan Revised Indicative RSS submission April 2021. Final RSS 2022 following NPF4 Adoption. Local Place Plans Communit ies Regulations in force from January 2022. Awaiting LDP Regulations to advertise for expressions of interest as per legislation. Open Space Strategy NLC Consultation on Regulations completed March 2022. Regulations expected Autumn 2022. Other Strategies (incl. Local Housing Strategy, Transportation Strategy, The Plan for North Lanarkshire, City Region City Deal, City Region Economic Strategy) NLC and Partners A range of NLC and Partner Strategies at various stages of development, some of which have statutory links to the Local Development Plan (e.g. Local Housing Strategy) North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2: • Evidence Gathering process • Gatecheck • Call for Ideas • Draft Plan preparation and consultation • Submission and Examination • Adoption 2027 at earliest NLC Draft Local Development Plan Regulations and Guidance were consulted upon concurrently with NPF4. Regulations are expected to be commenced following Adoption of NPF4 (likely late 2022). Subject to the timing and content of the regulations this is a potential timetable • Evidence Gathering starts in 2022 and continues in 2023 (HoPS estimate this will take a year) • Gatecheck process 2024 (HoPS estimate this will 44 weeks) • Call for Ideas replaces Call for Sites and has moved to the post Gatecheck stage in draft regulations • Draft Plan preparation 2025 and consultation early 2026 (HoPS estimate 48-week process) • Submission 2026 and Examination 2026/27 (HoPS estimate 1-year process) • Adoption 2027 (HoPS estimate 16-week process) but this process is proposed to change in Draft LDP Regulations Page 73 of 85
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11 North Lanarkshire LDP2 Process Adoption Recieve Report of Examination Assess RoE and Prepare Adoption Plan Submission and Examination Assess Consultation Responses Agree non-material amendments and Schedule 4 responses at Committee Submit for Examination Draft Plan preparation and consultation Prepare Plan based on Gatecheck Outcome and Call for Ideas Agree Plan at Committee Publish and Consult Call for Ideas Set Call for Ideas Parameters Carry out Call for Ideas Gatecheck Compile Evidence Submit to Reporters Gatecheck 'Discussion' Gatecheck outcome Implications of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) incorporating Scottish Planning policy (SPP) Regional Spatial Strategy (non-statutory), Local Place Plans other legistlation and Strategies, Land Supply Requirements, Economic and environmental circumstances New requirements of Planning Act including Health and education needs and the effect of development on them and cultural venues planning Policies and proposals on public conveniences, water refill locations Evidence Gathering process Page 74 of 85
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12 NLLDP2 Indicative Timetable 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Evidence Gathering process Gatecheck 1 year Call for Ideas 12 wks Draft Plan preparation 36 wks Draft Plan consultation 12 wks Assess Responses and Submission 24 wks Examination 36 weeks Adoption 16 wks SEA SEA Scoping Consult with Key Partners and Agencies Draft Environmental report Consult with Key Partners and Agencies Environm ental report Post Adopti on ER Page 75 of 85
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13 7 Participation Statement & Engagement Strategy The Participation Statement aligned with the Development Plan Scheme was published as a stand-alone document along with the Engagement Strategy and is attached below for reference. In light of the expanded range of previously considered non-planning “responsibilities” and taking account of the new sections 16A and 16B of the Act, the Council will have to review its Participation Statement and Engagement Strategy accordingly following commencement of those parts of the Act. The Participation Statement and Engagement Strategy for the Local Development Plan, along with the most up to date Scottish Government requirements, guidance and advice will form the basis of a new Participation Statement and Engagement Strategy which will be incorporated in future Development Plan Schemes. Stakeholders, including the wider public, have an important role in shaping their Plan. The Council’s Engagement Strategy will guide engagement for the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2 and will set out when, how and with whom consultation on the plan will take place, and the Council’s proposals for public involvement in the plan preparation process. The Strategy will be updated regularly throughout the process and can be accessed through the Council’s website. The Council is committed to engaging with communities in line with the National Standards on Community Engagement: Relevant Parties for Engagement These are detailed in the relevant documents but are outlined below. The following stakeholders are Key Agencies, have geographical or strategic planning association with North Lanarkshire, are community or residents’ groups, or may be expected to have an interest in the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. • Key Agencies; • Public sector organisations • Partner Organisations • Special Interest & Representative Organisations • Community & Representative Organisations • Members of the Public • Private Sector Organisations • Special interest & representative organisations • Private sector organisations 8 Planning and Regeneration Service Contact Details Online: www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk By Email: ESNLLDP@northlan.gov.uk By Mail: Enterprise & Communities Planning and Regeneration North Lanarkshire Council Civic Centre Motherwell By Phone: 01236 632622 Page 76 of 85
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14 NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY North Lanarkshire Council Planning and Regeneration Page 77 of 85
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15 NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY INTRODUCTION 1. The North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan will be the key document which sets the land use framework for North Lanarkshire. 2. The North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan is a land use policy document which has a significant influence on what is built on or what uses can be undertaken on land in North Lanarkshire. It does this by allocating sites for specific land uses such as housing, retailing, business and industry or developments such as schools, health centres and waste management facilities and by including policies designed to promote the economic, social, physical and environmental well being for North Lanarkshire. It therefore affects everyone who lives in, works in or visits North Lanarkshire. 3. The North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan will replace the current adopted North Lanarkshire Local Plan. The first North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan is planned for adoption in 2017. 4. We are committed to preparing the Council’s first North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan on the basis of genuine engagement with a broad range of stakeholders and this Strategy sets out how we will achieve this. 5. The Council is required to publish a Development Plan Scheme that sets out the programme for preparing and reviewing Development Plans, and what is likely to be involved at each stage. The Development Plan Scheme must be updated annually and will be published alongside the Participation Statement which in turn sets out when, how and with whom consultation on the plan will take place and the Council’s proposals for public involvement in the plan preparation process. 6. Engagement with a broad range of stakeholders is an important part of the production of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. However although important, the outcome of this is only part of the evidence base upon which decisions are made. 7. It is intended this Strategy and the Participation Statement will ensure that the outcome of engagement undertaken throughout the Local Development Plan process and its role in the decision making process is clearly understood and any decisions taken are made in a transparent way. HOW DOES THE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY WORK? 8. The purpose of the Strategy is to set the background and outlines the Strategy’s objectives to support and improve the effectiveness of engagement with stakeholders by providing guidance for Council staff and a clear explanation for stakeholders who will be engaged, when and how and also what engagement has happened so far in the preparation of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. 9. The Participation Statement will be updated regularly throughout the preparation of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan to provide an up to date position on the Councils progress and to respond to issues as they arise. 10. The use of ‘we’ within this strategy refers to the Development Plan Team within the Council’s Planning and Regeneration Service. We are responsible for the preparation of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan on the Council’s behalf, for approval by the elected members. Page 78 of 85
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16 LEGAL CONTEXT 11. The Stakeholder Engagement Strategy is about making a complex statutory process accessible to stakeholders so that they can influence its policies. It is not about focussing on technical details. However, every element of the Plan’s preparation is influenced by legislation and policy guidance. 12. The preparation and adoption of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan is a legal process and it is important to be aware that: • The North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan is a statutory document the Council is required by law to prepare. The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended by the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 requires Council’s to prepare a development plan for their area. These plans must be updated every five years. • The process of preparing the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan is also determined by law. The Town and Country Planning (Development Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 provides the detail for the preparation and publication of local development plans and in particular provides a minimum set of requirements for consultation and publicity of local development plans. 13. In addition to legislation, the Council is also required to observe a number of policies and advice documents prepared by the Scottish Government. These take the form of: • National Planning Framework 3 • Scottish Planning Policy • Planning Advice Notes, Guides, Letters from the Chief Planner; and • Circulars (including the Planning Series Circular 6/2013: Development Planning) 14. Planning Advice Note 3/2010 Community Engagement provides advice to communities on how they can get involved as well as advising planning authorities and developers on ways of effectively engaging with communities on planning matters. The Planning Advice Note 3/2010 also links directly with the National Standards for Community Engagement. The Standards set out best practice principles for the way that councils and other public bodies should engage with communities. 15. Planning Aid Scotland has produced SP=EED (Scottish Planning equals Effective Engagement and Delivery) as a practical guide to effective community engagement in planning. This Strategy has been produced to be in line with this guide. STAKEHOLDERS AND EFFECTIVE ENGAGEMENT 16. Throughout this Strategy the terms ‘stakeholder’ and ‘communities’ are interchangeable. They refer to any person, group or organisation that has an interest in, could be affected by or could affect the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. 17. Stakeholders could be individual residents, neighbourhoods, community groups, businesses, landowners, developers, parents, government organisations, and people with disabilities or special interest groups. 18. When talking about engagement, we are referring to actions or processes that enable stakeholders to be aware of, or be involved in the Local Development Plan process and then use their input to make more informed decisions. 19. Substantial changes have been made recently to Scotland’s planning system. As part of this modernisation, there has been a wider push for earlier and more effective engagement. 20. In order for engagement to be effective it needs to be genuinely open and accessible. This means ensuring that people are aware of the Local Development Plan as early in the process as possible, that they have the facts that allow them to make a genuine contribution, that they have had the opportunity to engage and that, having made Page 79 of 85
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17 their views known, they get a clear explanation of how and why decisions were made. 21. Engagement has been designed into the reformed planning system and it is integral to the process of preparing a Local Development Plan. 22. For example, Council’s are required to let communities know at the beginning of the process when and how engagement will happen through the Development Plan Scheme. Council’s are required to identify the main land use issues for their area and consult on the options for how these can be addressed through a Main Issues Report prior to drafting a new plan. This means that communities are involved earlier in the process and have more influence over the outcomes. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF ENGAGEMENT 23. The purpose of engagement refers to the level or role of stakeholder involvement and the amount of influence they have in the process. 24. For the purposes of this Strategy, three levels of engagement are used to describe the nature and purpose of engagement methods. These are inform, consult and involve. 25. Some engagement methods seek to simply ‘inform’ stakeholders and there is no expectation of receiving feedback, consequently there is a low level of public involvement. However, when the purpose of engagement is to ‘involve’ stakeholders this implies a more interactive process with increased expectations by stakeholders and an increased level of influence. 26. The nature of these three levels of engagement is described in the diagram below. Table 1 Inform Consult Involve Purpose: to provide stakeholders with balanced and objective information Purpose: to seek stakeholder views on policy Purpose: to seek stakeholder views and input to policy • One way flow of information • Purpose is to provide information/educate • Factual Information is needed to describe a policy, program or process • Foundation of all community engagement processes • There is no opportunity to influence the final outcome • Information is necessary to abate concerns or prepare for involvement • To advise the public needs on the results of a process • A decision may have already been made (no decision is required), i.e. informing that the plan is adopted • Two-way interactive process • There is an opportunity to influence the final outcome. • Input may shape policy directions • To obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives and/or decisions. • Two way flow of information • A higher level of participation is expected from stakeholders than with consulting. • In depth joint working with key stakeholders • We wish to encourage discussion among and with stakeholders Increasing level of stakeholder engagement Page 80 of 85
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18 27. Table 1 indicates the purpose of engagement for each stage of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan preparation process and is summarised in the figure below. Both Table 1 and the figure below clearly illustrate that higher levels of stakeholder involvement will be towards the start of the process, allowing genuine opportunities to influence the process and that providing information is important throughout the plan process. A LONGER TERM APPROACH 28. This Strategy is not only about how we engage communities in the preparation of the Council’s first North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan, but also subsequent development plans. Some of our actions will be focussed on raising the profile and awareness of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan and the land use planning process with a view to increasing the interest in, ease and desire for stakeholders to be involved. 29. This will take time and commitment and the benefits are likely to be more significant to future development plans. We see this as investing in both the present and future communities’ capacity to be involved in the land use planning process. BENEFITS OF ENGAGEMENT 30. Both communities and the Council stand to benefit from effective engagement. Benefits to the community Benefits to the Council • Allow the various communities within North Lanarkshire to influence the decision-making process • Result in decisions being made that are more likely to reflect the needs of communities and be supported by them. • Foster a sense of belonging to the community and create stronger communities. • Empower individuals with regard to issues that affect them. • More transparency and accountability • Allows the Council to make more informed decisions based on stronger evidence and thus prepare better policies • People who live, work, play, use services, do business and manage resources within North Lanarkshire have a range of local knowledge and expertise that should be utilised to inform and influence Council decisions that impact upon them. • If undertaken early in the process, where there is more scope to influence decisions, it can save time later on. THE STRATEGY OBJECTIVES 31. The objectives of the Stakeholder Engagement Strategy are: • To make a better plan for North Lanarkshire • To meet our statutory engagement requirements. • To raise awareness of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan amongst a broad range of stakeholders. Main Issues Report Proposed Plan Examination Justify Adoption of the Plan Page 81 of 85
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19 • To make it easy for stakeholders to contribute to the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. • That stakeholder’s can see how their contribution has been considered and understand the reasoning behind decisions. • To use a range of engagement methods. • To undertake engagement in line with the National Standards of Community Engagement. OUR COMMITTMENT 32. In preparing North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan we want to take a more pro-active approach to engaging with our communities. We will do this by having a coordinated approach to how we engage and promote the plan and by exploring new engagement methods. 33. We are committed to engaging with communities in line with the 10 National Standards on Community Engagement: • The INVOLVEMENT Standard We will identify and involve the people and organisations who have an interest in the Local Development Plan. • The SUPPORT Standard We will identify and overcome any barriers to involvement. • The PLANNING Standard We will gather evidence of the needs and available resources and use this to agree the purpose, scope and timescale of the engagement and the actions to be taken. • The METHODS Standard We will agree and use methods of engagement that are fit for purpose. • The WORKING TOGETHER Standard We will agree and use clear procedures that enable the participants to work with one another efficiently and effectively. • The SHARING INFORMATION Standard We will ensure that necessary information is communicated between the participants. • The WORKING WITH OTHERS Standard We will work effectively with others with an interest in engagement. • The IMPROVEMENT Standard We will develop actively the skills, knowledge and confidence of all the participants. • The FEEDBACK Standard We will feedback the results of the engagement to the wider community and agencies affected. • The MONITORING and EVALUATION Standard We will monitor and evaluate whether the engagement achieves its purposes and meets the National Standards for Community Engagement. WHO WILL WE ENGAGE? 34. We interact with a broad range of stakeholders with varying interests in terms of land use. 35. There are a number of stakeholders that we are required to engage with because they; are identified by legislation as a Key Agency, Page 82 of 85
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20 because of their geographical or strategic planning association with North Lanarkshire, are an identified community group, or simply because they may be expected to have an interest in the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. 36. These stakeholders include: • Key Agencies; • Public sector organisations; • Partner Organisations; • Special Interest & Representative Organisations • Community & Representative Organisations • Private Sector Organisations 37. A list of organisations under each of the stakeholder groups mentioned above is included within the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Stakeholder Database which is within the Participation Statement. Organisations on the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Consultation Database will be notified and invited to comment during formal consultation periods for the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. 38. In addition to the stakeholders identified above, there are a number of internal stakeholders within the Council who have an interest in or will be affected by the outcomes of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. Key internal stakeholders include colleagues within Chief Executive’s Office, Corporate Services, Regeneration & Environmental Services, Finance & Customer Services, Housing & Social Work Services and Learning & Leisure Services. A full list of internal stakeholders is detailed within North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Consultation Database which will be included within the Participation Statement. 39. Community Councils and Community Forums have an important role to play in the Local Development Plan process as statutory community representatives. We intend to engage with Community Councils and Community Forums at the early stages of producing the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan (prior to the production of the Main Issues Report). 40. Gypsy/Travellers have a unique set of land use requirements which may need to be addressed through the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. In order to engage effectively with Gypsy/Travellers extra effort will be made to identify suitable engagement methods to understand the land use requirements of this group. 41. Young People require extra effort to be made to achieve effective engagement with the planning system. Young people will live with the land use planning decisions made today and developing an awareness of the planning system and how it impacts on them will hopefully lead to active citizenship as adults. We intend to engage with Young People through the use of social media and the Council’s website as well as engaging directly with Young People groups. 42. We are also committed to engaging with the broader public and a number of engagement methods will be targeted to this group. In particular we will be making extra efforts to involve anyone who would not normally engage with the planning system. HOW AND WHEN WE WILL ENGAGE 43. The focus for engagement activity will be the lead up to and consultation on the Main Issues Report which is one of the initial key stages in the plan process. After this point the purpose of engagement shifts largely to informing stakeholders and there is limited scope for stakeholders to influence the final plan. 44. The extent to which the Council can engage is constrained by limited resources. Engagement costs money and with shrinking budgets the Council needs to prioritise how resources are used for engagement. 45. The internet will be a focus for engagement activity related to the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan as it is cost effective and Page 83 of 85
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21 many people have access to and expect information to be available on the internet. The internet will be the hub for making submissions and accessing information on the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan throughout the process. 46. However, hard copies will still be available to read at Council offices and public libraries and submissions can still be made in writing. 47. In addition to the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Stakeholder Database, North Lanarkshire Council has signed up to ‘Gov Delivery’. This system allows us to reach customers in an as efficient and customer-friendly a way as possible. Gov Delivery enables interested parties who had signed up to the Strategic Planning Mailing List it replaces to receive emails updates on the progress of the Local Development Plan, as well as other aspects of the work of the Council's Planning Service. 48. The Participation Statement provides a list of all the engagement methods we intend to use, what stakeholders they are aimed at and at what stage of the process. These methods are grouped into those methods that are aimed at raising awareness and skills, and those methods which are to aid exploring the issues. 49. The Council will be using a wide range of engagement methods throughout the preparation of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. The method used will be tailored according to the purpose of the consultation (e.g. inform, consult etc) and which stakeholder it is intended for (target group or general public). 50. The Participation Statement provides a record of any media activity related to the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. It lists any public notices, newspaper articles, blogs, newsletters or social media mention the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan we’re aware of in relation to the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. 51. The Participation Statement will be updated regularly alongside the Development Plan Scheme and will be published on the Council’s website. FEEDBACK, MONITORING AND EVALUATION 52. We are committed to providing feedback about the issues that emerge from engagement, the actions taken as a result of the views expressed, and how input affected a decision. 53. We are expecting a lot of people to have their say by making a submission as part of the planning process. For example, throughout the process to prepare the North Lanarkshire Local plan we received nearly 3,000 submissions, some of which raised multiple issues. 54. With this in mind we will consider and report on each of the issues raised in every submission it will not be possible to provide an explanation in writing to each individual on how their comments have been considered as we simply don’t have the resources to do this. 55. To address this we will make sure that documents which include feedback are presented in a clear and accessible way, are easily available to the public and that, in particular, people who have made submissions know where and how access these. 56. Engaging with communities is not new for us; however, this is the first time we have prepared an engagement strategy which brings all our engagement activities together in a coordinated approach. 57. We will be focussing on regular monitoring and we therefore need to start gathering information to provide a basis for evaluation and review. 58. We will monitor and evaluate how we engage throughout the process, but in particular after the Call for Sites, Main Issues Report, Proposed Plan and at the adoption stage so that we can build on strengths and learn from aspects that don’t work so well to Page 84 of 85
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22 continually improve the engagement process throughout the preparation of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan. IT’S NOT A POPULARITY CONTEST! 59. Land use policies are complex. There are many different and competing interests and it is unlikely that all stakeholders will agree with each other, or the proposed solutions. 60. It is also important to note that the findings from consultation with stakeholders, although important, are only part of the evidence base upon which decisions are made. 61. It is therefore important to be clear that the outcome of engagement is not about preparing a plan that pleases the most people. It’s about ensuring that planning decisions are made taking an informed view on all, of the evidence available. 62. If a policy does not accord with a stakeholder’s view, it does not mean that his/her view has not been considered. 63. There will always be cases where differences cannot be resolved. The challenge lies in ensuring that communities are engaged in shaping the future of their area; that the basis and justification for polices, land allocations, infrastructure priorities and decisions are clear and that the trade-offs between competing and, in some cases, conflicting interests are explicit and transparent. HOW TO CONTACT US 64. If you have any questions or comments about this document or about the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan the Development Plan Team can be contacted using the following methods: Through our website: www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/developmentplan By email: ESNLLDP@northlan.gov.uk By mail: Development Planning Team Regeneration and Environmental Services North Lanarkshire Council Fleming House 2 Tryst Road Cumbernauld G67 1JW OTHER SOURCES OF ADVICE OR INFORMATION 65. For more information on the Scottish Planning System refer to the Planning page on the Scottish Government’s website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning 66. For more information on community engagement and the National Standards on Community Engagement refer to Planning Advice Note 3/2010: Community Engagement by the Scottish Government which can be downloaded from the Scottish Government website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/08/30094454/0 67. For more information on SP=EED – Successful Planning equals Effective Engagement and Delivery by Planning Aid Scotland which can be downloaded from the Planning Aid Scotland’s website: http://www.planningaidscotland.org.uk/speed Page 85 of 85