Question
WBC clearly encourage public consultation and engagement in processes, so I wonder when the Public will have the opportunity to comment on the Landscape Character Assessment before it is finalised?
Minutes:
Question
WBC clearly encourage public consultation and engagement in processes, so I wonder when the public will have the opportunity to comment on the Landscape Character Assessment before it is finalised?
Answer
The Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) is a technical study which is being prepared to support the Local Plan Update and guide decision making more widely around development. Land Use Consultants have been commissioned to update the existing Landscape Character Assessment, which I think was last looked at in 2004, to reflect the present condition and use of the landscape across the Borough.
The LCA is designed to be used as a positive tool to guide new development, which takes into account the local character and distinctiveness of Wokingham Borough’s landscape. The LCA is therefore not a document that sets a policy direction or makes decisions, but instead forms part of a wider evidence base that can be used to inform plan making itself.
In spring of this year a targeted consultation was undertaken with statutory consultees, neighbouring authorities and town and parish councils to provide feedback on the draft version of the LCA. The results of this consultation are now being considered by Officers in conjunction with the appointed consultants in order to inform the final version of the LCA; which is anticipated sometime in the autumn.
So as part of the Council’s consistent approach to preparing evidence based documents there are no plans to undertake a wider public consultation, in order to ensure that the LCA is prepared and published in a timely manner.
Supplementary Question
Well I have to say as part of the neighbourhood planning process I have had the opportunity to read the Landscape Character Assessment and I have huge concerns on the document particularly with regard to the area of land that we might call the Rushey Mead area; which is an area of Arborfield where there was previously a wind turbine planning application. It is really important that that area is protected because the reasons for the refusal of that planning application hinged on landscape character and the heritage assets that are in that area.
You probably may not be aware that after that planning application I attended the Examination for the MDD and the examiner directed Wokingham Borough Council to consult with me going forward on such issues. Now I have looked back through my notes and I did receive a few e-mails from various Officers but the trail went dead in 2014. I was then instructed to participate in the neighbourhood plan to protect the area, which I have done, but I found that opportunities for protection for these things actually were quite limited within the Neighbourhood Plan. We have done what we can but it is very important that from what I have seen of the draft document that the area around Carters Hill, Sindlesham and Arborfield that the landscape character there is actually strengthened as it has some of the best heritage assets, the highest specification of ancient monument in the church and some of the buildings there and none of this is mentioned in the draft that I have seen of the Landscape Character Assessment.
So I do have huge concerns about this and since I haven’t really been consulted it would be nice if I could have some kind of input in this document please?
Supplementary Answer
I would say that public consultation was not something to be considered but having said that, and having listened to what you said, I will speak to our Planning people as well as our Executive Member for Planning to see if we can include that and actually look at that area and make sure that it is properly considered. I will also look into possibly the inclusion of your comments as well.
Jan Heard also asked if she could see the comments that Arborfield Parish Council made in response to the consultation because they were consulted and she hadn’t seen the response. Councillor Batth agreed to this request.
The Executive Member for Planning and Enforcement made the following response:
Absolutely no problem at all with that Gary (Cowan) works with me on the Local Plan. He is the local Member so we can set up a meeting with Ian Bellinger and Ian Church.