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Council and Democracy

Issue - meetings

Local Development Order

Meeting: 23/11/2021 - Cabinet (Item 38)

38 Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station Local Development Order pdf icon PDF 376 KB

The report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth is attached.

Decision:

It was RESOLVED that:

 

a)     the preparation of a Local Development Order for the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station site be approved;

 

b)     it be agreed that the Council enters into a Memorandum of Understanding with the site owner and works with them to prepare a draft Local Development Order, to be brought back to the Cabinet for approval;

 

c)     the draft timetable contained in Appendix A of the report be approved;

 

d)     the following additions to the terms of reference for the Local Development Framework Group in the Council’s Constitution be approved: “The Local Development Framework Group shall consider and make recommendations to cabinet or Council on all draft Local Development Orders and any other relevant documents”; and

 

e)     it be agreed that the Director for Development and Economic Growth act as project Director for the Local Development Order and oversee its preparation and all associated consultations.     

Minutes:

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Business and Growth, Councillor Edyvean presented the report of the Director for Development and Economic Growth providing an update on the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station Local Development Order (LDO).

 

Councillor Edyvean advised that this report constituted further steps in planning terms in creating opportunities for the redevelopment of the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station site.  Cabinet was remined of the importance of this significant strategic site, as a key component of both the East Midlands Freeport and the East Midland Development Corporation (EMDC).  The Council had worked closely with the site owners, and after looking at all of the options, it was considered that an LDO would be the best route to secure the future redevelopment of the site, as a multi-use complex with a low carbon energy focus. 

 

Councillor Edyvean reminded Cabinet that in order to meet the requirements to qualify for Freeport benefits, businesses would need to be established by 30 September 2026, and the LDO was the best vehicle to meet this target.  Cabinet noted that the Government guidelines also recommended the use of LDOs for this purpose.

 

The report detailed that consideration was being given to the removal of the site from the Green Belt in preparation for the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan; however, it was noted that the timescale for that Plan did not facilitate the required timetable to bring the site forward for the Freeport process.  Cabinet was reminded that consideration of this report was only the first step, and this draft document would be considered by the cross-party Local Development Framework Group (LDFG) and Full Council.  To allow this to happen, an amendment to the Council’s Constitution would be required to the LDFG terms of reference. 

 

Councillor Edyvean stated that a clear vision for the redevelopment of the site had already been outlined, in accordance with the terms of reference for both the East Midlands Freeport and the EMDC, and details of the reasons for the suitability of the LDO as a correct vehicle, together with an outline of the process were highlighted in sections 4.7 to 4.17 of the report.  Cabinet was remined that the LDO would give the Council, as the Local Planning Authority, considerable control to ensure that the site was developed as envisaged, and to bring economic prosperity and opportunity for the future. 

 

In conclusion, Councillor Edyvean referred to the huge opportunities that lay ahead, to increase the prosperity of the area and transform it to a greener economy.

 

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Inglis stated that the report provided a strong case for approving the preparation of the LDO and referred to the significance of this important strategic site.  Cabinet was reminded that the LDO was a tool, recommended by the Planning Advisory Service, and which was also encouraged within the Government’s Freeport prospectus, to expediate the future development of the site, within the necessary timescales.

 

Councillor Inglis reiterated that this would be the first stage in the process, which would incorporate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38