Agenda item

Gareth Bradford presented a report which updated the Board on progress in taking forward work to support implementation of the West Midlands Land Delivery Plan, which had been a key recommendation from the West Midlands Land Commission. He advised that this was the third stage of the process and formed part of the bottom up development. He assured the Board that the WMCA was engaged with both Constituent, Non- Constituent and none members on this piece of work and that this was not a Statutory Plan. It was intended to bring together various plans for housing, transport, skills, employment and social infrastructure. It was anticipated that Homes England and the various Housing Associations would have regard to the document, once it was finalised. As part of the draft scoping exercise key information on all sites had been documented. He reminded the Board that this exercise was not about numbers of houses provided but about the quality of developments, the density and ensuring that sustainable communities were created.

He reported that the site pipeline had identified some 800 sites and that the Officers were working with Homes England to commence discussions with H M Government to move forward development on these sites, acknowledging the inherent difficulties with some sites. The constraints included contaminated land and, in some cases, fragmented ownership. He stressed the need for the homes to be delivered in a structured and co-ordinated manner. A number of further Workshops were planned with the respective authorities in order to progress the finalisation of the Delivery Plan.

Councillor Ian Courts welcomed the work undertaken to date and commented that it was essential especially in terms of the Brownfield sites. He suggested that there was a need for some scoring mechanism via a ‘Scorecard’ on which the various impediments (such as remediation / ownership / planning issues) to development could be rated. He also suggested that there was a need to identify ‘shovel ready’ schemes and to involve private landlords and developers in the exercise.

Gareth Bradford acknowledged the inclusion of a ‘Scorecard’ and on the need for the pipeline to be realistic. He advised on the need to identify those schemes which could be delivered quickly and those that could be prepared for delivery with the support of investors. He reported that, to date, the engagement with both owners and developers had been light in touch but assured the Board that the level of engagement would increase as the process developed.

The Chair commented that the negotiations with H M Government needed to be considered including the need to demonstrate that the West Midlands region could deliver on its aspirations.      

Councillor Chris Saint supported the approach that was being adopted but expressed concern with regard to the non-statutory element in the planning process. He reminded the Board that the Spatial Development and Delivery Plan would sit alongside statutory plans. He enquired whether those sites identified in the pipeline would be over and above those identified in Local Plans. The Chair acknowledged the position and advised that no attempt was being made to intrude into the Green Belt. He reported that H M Government preferred the adoption of a statutory plan but that the WMCA was resisting this course of action. 

Councillor Ian Courts sought an assurance that only those sites put forward by the respective local authorities would be included in the Plan. Councillor Peter Butlin commented that the purpose of the Plan was to accelerate development of sites and especially those where development had stalled. He suggested that reference should be made to the provision of educational facilities in the Plan where new developments were under consideration.

Councillor Peter Bilson welcomed the work on the development of the Plan. He confirmed that it aligned with the Black Country Core Strategy and the City of Wolverhampton Council’s development ambitions. He commented that early commitment on land remediation was required and acknowledged the different pressures between authorities in respect of development. He suggested that an early commitment from H M Government would be welcomed. The Chair reported that a letter had been forwarded to the Prime Minister and al local Members of Parliament seeking their support to the aspirations. He commented that there were a number of difficulties preventing development across the region in addition to contaminated land.

Councillor David Humphreys commented on the need for developers to be required to complete sites on which development had commenced. Gareth Bradford confirmed that the public sector needed to intervene in such matters using Compulsory Purchase Order powers if deemed necessary and that the WMCA was discussing with H M Government the appropriate tools to ensure that the completion of approved developments were achieved. He advised that the WMCA was working alongside Homes England and the respective local authorities on such issues. The Chair intimated that H M Government was supportive of the aims in this matter.

Councillor Peter Butlin commented on the possibility of charging developers Council Tax on such undeveloped properties which was likely to achieve a quicker result than the use of Compulsory Purchase Order powers. Gareth Bradford advised that a range of tools were required especially having regard to the diverse range of issues across the region. Councillor Chris Saint advised that the charging of Council Tax on undeveloped properties was under consideration but could not yet be implemented as the necessary legislation had yet to be enacted.

Councillor Ian Courts commented on the various hurdles which had to be addressed including the ‘boom and bust’ nature of the construction industry and the various issues which prevented the speedy adoption of Local Plans.

Resolved:

1.    That the proposed outline of the Spatial Investment and Delivery Plan be approved;

2.     That the progress in taking forward the work programme as agreed at the last meeting of the Board, particularly in relation to developing the Spatial Expression / Integrated Investment Plan be noted.