Council to consider the following Motion on Notice submitted by Councillors Candon, Galer, Boyd, Murray-Smith, G Carpenter and Freeman.
That Council does not approve the recommendations in the Local Plan report URN 26-039 and does not authorise the formal commencement of the Great Yarmouth 2045 Local Plan at this stage.
Council recognises the need for more homes in Great Yarmouth, particularly for local families, young people and those wishing to remain in the borough. However, Council also recognises the serious concern among residents about the proposed increase in housing numbers, with targets rising by nearly 40% and bringing the overall scale of growth close to nearly 10,000 homes.
Council believes that before any formal Notice to Commence, Local Plan Timetable, Gateway 1 self-assessment, Scoping Consultation or Call for Sites is published, further work is required to understand the full impact of these targets on local communities, infrastructure and deliverability.
Council therefore requests the following:
- Officers bring back a further report setting out:
The legal and planning options available to the Council in responding to the new housing targets.
The infrastructure implications of housing growth close to nearly 10,000 homes, including roads, schools, GP services, dentistry, drainage, flood risk, public transport, utilities and wider public services.
An assessment of deliverability, including land availability, brownfield capacity, viability, market build-out rates and the ability of the borough to absorb this level of growth.
The consequences, risks and options associated with delaying, amending or challenging the current timetable.
A proposed formal representation to Government setting out Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s concerns regarding the scale, fairness and deliverability of the new housing target.
- Council further agrees to write formally to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP, setting out the Council’s serious concerns about the impact of these housing targets on Great Yarmouth, including infrastructure, public services, flood risk, deliverability and local democratic accountability.
- Council also respectfully requests that our Member of Parliament, Rupert Lowe MP, seek an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State to reinforce those concerns of this Council and residents across the borough.
- Council further agrees that any future Scoping Consultation, Call for Sites or Gateway 1 submission should return to elected members for approval before publication.
Council is not opposed to new homes. However, Council believes that growth must be fair, realistic, supported by proper infrastructure, and shaped by the communities who will live with its consequences.