The Committee considered a report and received a presentation providing an update on the progress on the Allocations and Development Management DPD.  There was a requirement for the Allocations and Development Management DPD to be consistent with the adopted Core Strategy and in general conformity with national planning policy.  Once adopted, together with the Core Strategy, the Allocations and Development Management DPD would replace all of the remaining saved policies of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

The comments received during the three separate consultations (Site Allocations, February 2010; Development Management Policies, May 2011; and Open Space Allocations, September 2011) were reflected in the report together with the Council’s response to the comments.  The draft DPD had been revised and updated to respond to the consultation comments.  Particular attention was drawn to changes to Green Belt extensions policy from the consultation draft.

A Member expressed concern regarding the Open Spaces Allocation and how spaces of less than 0.2 hectares could be recorded.  Following discussion it was felt that proposals could be introduced as part of Neighbourhood Plans.

Another Member highlighted that the Flood Water Management Act could place constraints on design issues.  The Acting Planning Services Manager reported that Officers would review the ADM DPD  to see if any further additions needed to be included in light of the Act.

Referring to Policy SC 3 – Amenity Protection, a Member noted that there was no mention of incidental light pollution and Officers were asked to review this.

Referring to Policy SC1 – Sustainable Development, the Committee noted that there appeared to be text missing from the performance indicators as the indicator did not specify how the 30 minutes would be measured.

            Resolved: That progress on the Allocations and Development Management DPD be noted and supported and the supplementary consultation on the new/amended site allocations be agreed, subject to the amendments outlined above.