Board Meeting – 30 October 2009

Action Log Attached As Appendix 1

◦ The LDP Preparation is „on-target‟ to date

◦ Programme of LDP board meeting leading to MIR to be altered (discussed later)

•The inaugural meeting was held on02/09/09 @ Belmont Academy and wasattended by 64 Forum members.

•This provided an overview of where theCouncil is in terms of its LDPpreparation.

• Discussion workshops on site selectionand development constraints gaveForum Members the opportunity to havetheir say on the process of identifyingsuitable land for development.

2nd meeting: 22 Oct. 2009 @ Girvan Academy

Update to Forum Members on site selection process – Land Assessment Framework

Discussions on visioning – pros/cons of each vision.

Indication of preferences for a vision.

Meetings have been held with Associated British Ports; GPIA (2nd runway); NHS to determine development aspirations/ Estate management.

Contact has also been made with Ayrshire College; UWS; Asda Morrisons; Tesco.

Advantages Disadvantages

Promotes balance of economy, social

and environment

May Constrain short term economic

growth

Allows long term economic growth Is it meaningful to South Ayrshire?

Creates Opportunity

Promotes attractiveness of South

Ayrshire on all levels

Advantages Disadvantages

Economic Growth with social benefits Less attractive environment

Potential for coastal development No underlying vision for economic

development

Trigger for expansion of existing

businesses

Blight on the landscape

Advantages Disadvantages

Greater number of affordable houses

delivered

Housing at expense of business

Preservation of local shops/ services Dormant villages

Stimulation of local housing markets

demands

Develops put off – unprofitable

demands on developers

Increasing brownfield viability Incorrect tool for goals

A through action plan process to

encourage developers

Promotion of equal opportunities

Advantages Disadvantages

Prevents inappropriate Greenfield

development that might lead to

inappropriate village boundaries/

ribbon development

Prevent limited Greenfield

development that could help to sustain

communities, farms and local facilities.

Supports green tourism, sustainable

economic development e.g. around

biosphere reserve

Prevent development of Greenfield

land to meet local needs

Assist in protecting green spaces /

corridors in urban areas

May prevent employment opportunities

being provided in rural villages / areas

Help protect Greenfield land May adversely affect long term

sustainable economic development

such as timber for biomass, windows

and house frames as commercial

forestry not appropriate

Protect road infrastructure from traffic

generated from large scale

developments

Outcomes:◦ A vote was held on the preferences for a vision for

South Ayrshire‟s LDP: -

19 votes in favour of the preferred vision (the LDP will be a development strategy that maximises sustainable economic growth, underpinned by sound social and environmental objectives)

1 votes in favour of the environmental vision (the LDP shall conserve the natural heritage of South Ayrshire and establish environmentally sustainable growth patterns).

LDP Project Board meeting (24/08/2009):

◦ Board Members indicated a preference for a focus on promoting the economy to recover from recession; and utilising the environment as a driver of the economy.

Economic Appraisal of preferred vision based on Oxford Economics‟ paper “The Strategic Economic Implications of the Recession for Scotland” (Appendix 4)

◦ Key findings from OE‟s report: -

Economic recession will create short-medium term economic volatility; however Scotland‟s economy remains strong, suggesting long term economic growth remains likely;

Economic growth may not necessarily be focussed on more people and jobs; but on environmental quality;

The increase in „green jobs‟ may facilitate economic growth; and in the longer run, this will be a key component of the economy; and,

Planning policy should align priorities to economic changes so as to capitalise on opportunities

◦ Key aspects of preferred vision: -

◦ A sustainable economic growth strategy, led by the environment, as an economic asset.

◦ Environmental quality of South Ayrshire is a key economic asset: this will diversify economy, even in short-term; but will also increase the feasibility of longer term economic growth.

◦ Modernised LDP system is more dynamic, more strategic, and will be more readily reviewed and updated to align to economic trends.

How does preferred vision relate to South Ayrshire?

“Growing South Ayrshire‟s economy in an outstanding

natural environment”

Key transport infrastructure (park and ride) to increase accessibility; improve connection to other transport nodes without major investment or environmental harm.

Key role for green belt in managing guiding settlement expansion.

Housing directed closer to amenities/ transport links.

Green networks to promote accessibility and use of rural environment.

Closed on 23 October; extended by 1 week to accommodate postal strikes.

137 promoted sites to date.

Key site: GPIA 2nd runway

Draft Land Assessment Framework (constraints)attached as appendix 5.

Forum considers this reflects output from 1st Forum.

Categorises constraints into 4 groups: ◦ Landscape/Settlement Issues;◦ Infrastructure, Access, & Amenities;◦ Technical Constraints;◦ Environment/Built Heritage.

Each category contains related constraints, which will be applied to defined land. Land will be scored from 0 to -3 (for most significant impacts).

Assumption that greenbelt will remain substantially unchanged.

Identify land parcels (from SALP process) and appraise against SPP21: “Green Belts”

Particular focus on existing extension of greenbelt beyond Mossblown/ Annbank, towards east of South Ayrshire.

Town centres will be a main issue topic:◦ This will: - Review town centre boundaries (extend/reduce/no

change?)

Review management of uses within centres (more or less restrictive?)

Consultation with Ayr Renaissance & Ayrshire Planning Unit.

Joint meeting of LDP and Ayr Renaissance Board to provide steer on this issue?

Proposed w/c 14/12/09: to update on progress of site selection & policy options for main issue topics;

Proposed w/c 08/02/10: present final draft of MIR to Board.