Notice of motion attached.

At the meeting of Council held on 14th December 2017, Members received a notice of motion calling on the Council to support the proposed courses of action seeking to address the effect of development in Leigh.

This had been proposed by Councillor Mulroney and seconded by Councillor Wexham.

Resolved:-

That the notice of motion be rejected on the basis that the Council has an existing Development Plan which provides the framework for the assessment of development in the Borough. The Council will be embarking on its preparation of a new Local Plan which will provide the opportunity for issues identified in the motion to be considered as part of the formal local plan process.

Reason for Decision

To respond to the notice of motion.

Other Options

None

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor:- Flewitt

At the meeting of Council held on 14th December 2017, Members received a notice of motion calling on the Council to support the proposed courses of action seeking to address the effect of development in Leigh.

This had been proposed by Councillor Mulroney and seconded by Councillor Wexham.

Resolved:-

That the notice of motion be rejected on the basis that the Council has an existing Development Plan which provides the framework for the assessment of development in the Borough. The Council will be embarking on its preparation of a new Local Plan which will provide the opportunity for issues identified in the motion to be considered as part of the formal local plan process.

Reason for Decision

To respond to the notice of motion.

Other Options

None

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor:- Flewitt

Notice of motion attached.

Resolved:

That, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8.4, the following notice of motion be referred to Cabinet:

The effect of development on services in Leigh

All members are aware of the rapid growth in development in Leigh, especially in flatted development. These problems are spreading in the Borough. particularly to areas close to the C2C railway stations.

Members will also be aware of the current serious issues in Leigh relating to the school catchment areas, serious parking issues and strain on other services which spreads to other areas as well.

With this Government’s push for housing this is set to continue. It is accepted that more housing is needed and more affordable housing but there comes a time when we have to think whether we can cope with any more.

In particular in Leigh:-

·           Parking resulting from more development and the popularity as a shopping destination.

·           The growing popularity of Leigh south of London Road (i.e. including parts of West Leigh and Chalkwell) for families with children. This reflects not only the popularity of the three primary schools, but also the ease of commuting to Docklands and the City.

·           Doctors' surgeries. Waiting time for GP appointments is a national problem but it is particularly acute around Leigh because of the inward population drift associated with new flat developments.

·           Bus services

·           Pressure on utilities

Many of these will be familiar to other wards. This is not an anti-planning motion but a proper planning one, but we accept that each planning application must be treated on its merits in accordance with the rules and policy. But that does not mean that as a Council we cannot express our concern and seek help from Government to overcome this situation.

We believe Government should urgently consider ways of ensuring that communities are not lost or their cohesiveness impaired through overdevelopment and stress on services.

MOTION:

That this Council seeks advice from the Local Government Association and information from other Councils who may be suffering similar stresses, with a view to influencing Government to take a more pragmatic approach to development which directs housing development to where it can be assimilated and serviced properly without placing undue stress on local services and thereby inherently protecting areas which are becoming overdeveloped and over stressed.

Proposed by: Councillor Mulroney

Seconded by: Councillor Wexham