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

DECISION

1.    To approve the designation of some of the Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Planning 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 5.4 (Determination of the Isle of Dogs 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 explained the principle behind Neighbourhood Planning Areas and then moved to discuss this specific application. She highlighted changes to the Northern Boundary compared to the application and the reasons for this as set out in the report. The report stated that the proposed boundary would create a cohesive area.

Mariya Talib addressed the Cabinet asking why the boundary was different to that proposed in the original application. Councillor Andrew Wood, Ward Councillor for Canary Wharf also addressed the meeting. He urged that a decision be taken tonight but he also urged Members to agree to the boundary proposed in the original application. He considered that it provided a coherent neighbourhood and that there was now a likelihood the Council would receive separate applications from the excluded areas which would only increase bureaucracy for no obvious benefit. 

The Mayor and Cabinet discussed the proposals and examined in particular the reasons given for the officer recommendation in relation to the proposed planning area. The Mayor confirmed that there had been extensive discussions about the proposal. He welcomed the application and he agreed  the recommendation 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 designation of some of the Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Planning Area as defined in the plan attached at Appendix 1 to the report.