Development Committee 7 October 2004
From Nigov
E3605
Thursday, 7th October, 2004
Contents |
SPECIAL MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor Crozier (Chairman); the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor O’Donnell); and Councillors Crowe, Empey, Long, McCann, O’Reilly and Stoker.
Also attended: Councillors W. Browne, Hanna, Moore, Morgan and Walsh.
In attendance:
- Ms. M. T. McGivern, Director of Development;
- Mr. G. Millar, Head of Urban Development;
- Mr. K. Sutherland, Planning and Transport Policy Manager; and
- Mr. J. Goodall, Senior Committee Administrator.
Apology
An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor Hutchinson.
Retrospective Authority to Attend Meeting
The Senior Committee Administrator advised the Committee that, subsequent to the decision of 18th August in respect of the holding of the meeting, it had been considered that it would be beneficial if all Members of the Council were to be authorised to be in attendance. Accordingly, he sought retrospective authority for the attendance of all Members.
The Committee granted the authority sought.
Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan
The Director of Development submitted a report in relation to issues associated with the forthcoming publication of the Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
The Head of Urban Development tabled for the information of the Members a letter which had been received the previous day from the Acting Director of Plans and Policy, the Department of the Environment Planning Service. The correspondence had indicated that, in view of the advanced stage which the Plan had reached, it was considered that no benefit would be obtained from the Department being represented at the meeting. However, he pointed out that the Members of the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan Political Group would be meeting with the Minister with responsibility for the Department of the Environment on 25th November, prior to the launch of the Draft Plan on 30th November.
The Head of Urban Development reviewed the background to the formulation of the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan, the Council’s contribution thereto and the proposed timetable for the completion of the project. He explained that the process was already two years behind schedule and the next step would be the production of the draft Plan, followed by an eight-week consultation period. He indicated that the undernoted sections of the Plan were of importance to the Council:
- housing
- employment
- built heritage
- transport
- open space
- City centre
- retail/tourism
- waste
- site specifics
The Head of Urban Development concluded by pointing out that the next course of action would be the preparation of the Council’s detailed response to the Plan and the undertaking of further research into specific areas of interest with a view to preparing for the Inquiry stage of the process. He suggested that the eight-week consultation period, with the public being consulted regarding the Plan’s seven volumes and the associated six District Plans, would allow little time for the issue to be considered in depth.
A number of Members voiced concern in relation to the closing date of the consultation process which had been announced and stated that this would not comply with the Council’s decision-making process. In view of this, the Committee agreed that the Planning Service be requested to extend the consultation period by a minimum of two weeks. It was agreed further that a series of structured thematic workshops, to which the members of relevant local Bodies would be invited, be arranged to identify specific issues of concern which were relevant to the areas in which those persons operated and that each Member of the Council be provided with the full set of the seven volumes of the Draft Plan, together with the relevant District Plans.
Proposed Retail Development at Sprucefield
The Director of Development reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 18th August, it had agreed that an objection be lodged to an application for the construction of a major retail development at the Sprucefield Shopping Centre. She pointed out that she had been advised that this would involve professional legal advice being sought and, accordingly, she sought authority for the payment of the associated fees and costs.
The Committee granted the authority sought.
Public Realm
The Head of Urban Development reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 5th October, it had agreed that a letter be forwarded to the Minister with responsibility for the Department for Social Development outlining the Committee’s concern in relation to the dilapidated and shabby condition of the City centre.
He pointed out that, subsequent to that decision having been taken, a meeting of the Brighter Belfast Working Group had been arranged to discuss the issue. Accordingly, it was agreed, pending the outcome of that meeting being reported to a future meeting of the Committee, that no action be taken in this regard.
Chairman
