The Mayor agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report.

DECISION

1.    To approve the application for the designation of the Spitalfields Neighbourhood Planning Area with minor amendments as a Neighbourhood Planning Business Area as defined in the plan attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Strategic Planning Manager (A. Maher)

[Note – the main discussion for this agenda item and agenda item 5.6 (Determination of the Spitalfields Neighbourhood Planning Forum Application) took place together and for clarity is presented here.]

Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Strategic Development, introduced the report. She noted the explanation behind the principle of Neighbourhood Planning Areas as reported earlier in the meeting and discussed this specific application. She noted the discussions that had taken place on where the boundary should be located and highlighted the relevant parts of the report.

Jason Zeloof, representing Truman Brewery, provided a submission to the meeting highlighting concerns that the proposed boundary was not compliant with the national guidance as the areas contained within it had limited continuity or coherence between them. Alternative proposals were presented.

James Frakcom, Secretary of the Spitalfields Neighbourhood Planning Forum, provided a submission to the meeting recommending that the application should be accepted in its entirety.

Following responses by officers including on how representations received had been evaluated, Cabinet then moved on to discuss the application detail. The information set out in the report was noted including that officers considered the proposed area was appropriate. Numerous consultation meetings had been held to discuss the issue with those who were interested.

The Mayor thanked everyone for their contributions and noted the responses provided. He agreed the recommendation as set out in the report.

The Mayor also agreed the reasons for urgency as stated in the report:

“The completion of the report required external legal advice which was unexpectedly delayed. Due to these special circumstances pursuant to Rule 6.1(b) of the Access to Information Procedure Rules the Mayor identified this report as an item for urgent decision that should not be delayed in order to positively support local communities prepare Neighbourhood Development Plans without further delay.”

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the application for the designation of the Spitalfields Neighbourhood Planning Area with minor amendments as a Neighbourhood Planning Business Area as defined in the plan attached at Appendix 1 to the report.