Issue - meetings

Consultation had been undertaken between July and the beginning of October 2011 on a Core Strategy Issue Document. 

The timescale and changing context for the preparation of the Core Strategy was set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

The Chairman gave a brief summary of the report and drew Members' attention to paragraph 3.3 which identified ways in which the consultation process had been carried out.  Attention was also drawn to paragraph 3.5 which outlined the key issues needed to be taken into consideration during the next stage of the consultation process.

Referring to page 74 - paragraph 3.5, first line of the second bullet point (Areas of Special Residential Character), Councillor Russell Jackson asked that the words 'Chelsfield Residents Association' be amended to read 'Chelsfield Park Residents Association'.  Councillor Jackson looked forward to the consideration of that matter.

In relation to English Heritage and the historical character of the area, Councillor Mrs Manning emphasised the importance of ensuring that this was highlighted as a key issue.

Councillor Michael commented on the need to retain areas specifically for new businesses and industrial use.  Referring to the subject of town centres (page 81), Councillor Michael stated that town centres should be safe and welcoming at all times of the day or night and suggested that the borough needed to provide family-friendly venues and that the Council should use its licensing controls with regard to the sale of alcohol etc.

Councillor Jackson commented on the viability of village life as a distinct element of Bromley and asked that this be reflected somewhere within the document.

Councillor Ince stated that urban open space should be included in the first category of paragraph 3.5 (Green Belt and other protected open space).

Councillor Fawthrop requested that Petts Wood be included as an area of special residential character in terms of its housing.

The Chairman informed Members that a further report would be submitted to the Local Development Framework Advisory Panel in March 2012.  The Chief Planner advised that the report would reflect all the comments made by Members and would explain the reasons why some would not be pursued.

RESOLVED that:-

1)  Member comments be reflected in a further report to be submitted to the Local Development Framework Advisory Panel in March 2012; and

2)  the timescale and changing context for the preparation of the Core Strategy as set out in Appendix 2 of the report be noted.