Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the Air Quality Management Supplementary Planning Document which has been prepared to support the implementation of Burnley`s Local Plan.

The Principal Planning Officer outlined the key elements of the document and responded to questions and observations from members on various issues including emissions reduction measures, species of trees, flow of traffic at traffic lights, electric charging points and infrastructure to support them, taxis and any future increased demand for electric charging points, footpath/cycleways project and public transport.

Members also questioned how effective the measures would be in practice and which elements would carry the most weight when considering planning applications.  The Principal Planning Officer said that the document was supplementary to the local plan and would be taken into account by officers in development management when making recommendations  to the development control committee.

A further concern was  raised about the increased use of wood burning stoves in various wards in the town and whether existing air quality legislation was being enforced.  The Principal Planning Officer said that he would take this issue back to environmental health colleagues for a response. In response to a question about walking/cycling projects he agreed to arrange for an update to be provided directly to the member concerned.  

The Strategic Head of Economy and Growth thanked members for their comments and added that the local plan was the main material factor when determining planning applications and this spd would add detail to NE5 in asking for an air quality assessment. It set out clearly what Burnley`s expectations were with regard to air quality and would provide members with the full information when determining planning applications.

RESOLVED

That the Air Quality; Protecting Health and Addressing Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be recommended to the Executive for approval.

To consider the Air Quality Management Supplementary Planning Document.

The Chair advised that this item had been withdrawn to allow more time  for the Scrutiny Committee to  further consider the document before being brought back to the Executive.

To consider the Air Quality Management Supplementary Planning Document.

At this point Councillor Andy Fewings left the meeting.

A report was presented to the Committee which was also to be presented to the meeting of the Executive on Tuesday, 20^th October 2020 seeking approval of adoption of the Draft Air Quality Management Supplementary Planning Document which  was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

Councillor Howard Baker referred to the lack of time to ensure thorough scrutiny of the document and requested that this item be removed from the Executive Agenda on 20^th October 2020.

IT WAS AGREED

That the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee would liaise with Democratic Services to plan for the draft policy to be scrutinised prior to submission to a meeting of the Executive**.

** An additional meeting of the Scrutiny Committee has subsequently been scheduled on 11^th November 2020 to consider the draft policy prior to submission to the Executive on 8^th December 2020.