Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development, held on 17th May, 2013, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Consideration was given to a petition, containing 181 signatures, from residents of Wath upon Dearne, seeking to prevent the closure of the Oak Tree/Oak Yard public footpath, situated near to Oak Road, Avenue Road and Beech Road, Wath upon Dearne.

Resolved:- (1) That the petition be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the appropriate officers investigate this matter and submit a further report to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development.

Further to Minute No. 54 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development held on 29th October, 2012, consideration was given to a report submitted by the Senior Planner seeking endorsement of a Memorandum of Understanding with Sheffield City Council with regard to Rotherham’s approach to setting a local housing target as part of the Local Plan Core Strategy.

The report stated that the Localism Act 2011 placed a statutory “duty to co-operate” on local planning authorities in drawing up their local plans. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) elaborates on this duty. The Council is expected to identify any strategic issues that need addressing in the Local Plan and to demonstrate a positive outcome to co-operation. To meet this duty, planning officers have held extensive discussions with all neighbouring local authorities, both district and county. These discussions have identified the issues requiring further work and agreement in order to ensure the Core Strategy is considered to be “sound” at the forthcoming Examination in Public. Advice from the Planning Inspectorate stresses that the duty to co-operate must have been met before the inspector will examine the Core Strategy at a public inquiry. One of the main issues to resolve under the duty to co-operate is around local plan housing targets. The Regional Strategy set a housing target for Rotherham of 23,880 net new dwellings between 2004 and 2026. The Regional Strategy has now been revoked by the coalition Government. The Core Strategy proposes a local housing target of 12,750 net new homes between 2013 and 2028 (plus 1,600 homes to cover shortfall in delivery between 2008 and 2013).

Consultation on the Publication Core Strategy took place between 25th June, 2012 and 6th August 2012, to allow for formal representations to be made on soundness and legal compliance only. In response to this consultation, objections were received from Sheffield City Council expressing concern that the lower housing target would have implications for the wider Sheffield/Rotherham housing market area; and that clarification on the role of safeguarded land was required.

This process led to the preparation of the Memorandum of Understanding, a copy of which was included with the submitted report. The Memorandum of Understanding sets out an agreed position regarding Rotherham’s housing target and will enable Sheffield City Council to withdraw its objection to the Publication Core Strategy.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the Memorandum of Understanding with Sheffield City Council, with regard to Rotherham’s approach to setting a local housing target as part of the Local Plan Core Strategy, as now submitted, be endorsed.

(nb: subsequent to this meeting, The Mayor gave the necessary authorisation to exempt this decision from the Council’s call-in procedure)

This item has been withdrawn from the agenda

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

Further to Minute No. 20 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development held on 16^th July, 2012, consideration was given to a report presented by the Transportation and Highways Projects Manager detailing the outcome of the review of the experimental closure of Broom Avenue at its junction with the A6021 Wickersley Road at Herringthorpe, Rotherham. Included with the report was a petition signed by residents of Ledsham Road stating their continuing concerns about the effects of the proposals upon the volume of traffic travelling along Ledsham Road.

The report stated that the experimental closure of Broom Avenue had:-

: removed non-residential traffic from Broom Avenue, Beachwood Road Oakwood Drive and Vernon Road, thereby addressing residents’ concerns about traffic speeds;

: simplified the Broom Avenue/Wickersley Road/Middle Lane South junction with an implied reduction in the risk of accidents

: reduced traffic flows on Middle Lane South.

However, this change has led to:-

- a major increase in traffic on Ledsham Road, which residents consider to be unsuitable for such large volumes of traffic

- an increase in the number of vehicles turning right out of Middle Lane South and Broom Lane; some residents who contacted the Council were concerned that this would increase the risk of an accident occurring;

- residents have reported an increase in traffic on Stag Crescent;

- reports of increased delays on Middle Lane South and Broom Lane.

The report also stated that whilst a large amount of traffic which previously used Broom Avenue has migrated to routes away from the locality, a significant amount of traffic has diverted to Ledsham Road. Despite the narrow feel of Ledsham Road and the presence of parked vehicles, this traffic flow has remained resistant to the alternative routes.

Members noted that during the period of the experimental closure, there have been no reports from the South Yorkshire Police of accidents resulting in personal injury at the junction of Wickersley Road and Broom Avenue, but it is difficult to assess accident trends over such a short period. It was further noted that, in the period leading into the experimental closure, the accident history at this junction showed a declining trend. This junction will continue to be monitored after the experimental closure has been removed.

Members were informed that, in view of the detrimental effects on Ledsham Road it is proposed that the experimental closure should be removed. In order to address some of the concerns originally identified, it is also proposed to reduce the speed of traffic entering the Broom Avenue from Wickersley Road, and improve pedestrian accessibility, by realigning and slightly widening the junction and providing an additional pedestrian refuge in this location (as shown on the drawing number 126/17/TT228 submitted to the meeting).

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the experimental closure of Broom Avenue at its junction with the A6021 Wickersley Road be rescinded and the existing barriers be removed upon completion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Consideration was given to a report submitted by the Transportation and Highways Projects Manager concerning the receipt of objections from local residents and a locally-based organisation to:-

(i) the proposed changes to the hours of operation of existing parking restrictions on Wellgate Mount and Clifton Bank, Rotherham;  and

(ii) the proposed reduction of a controlled parking bay at Wellgate Mount.

The report also sought approval to proceed with an amended version of the parking scheme, as follows:-

(a) Hours of Operation – a proposal to extend the existing hours of operation in the evening from Monday to Saturday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm to Monday to Saturday 9.00 am to 7.00 pm.

(b) Parking bay at Wellgate Mount – a proposal to replace the section of parking bay opposite the access with a double yellow line “No Waiting At Any Time” restriction.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the objections to the proposed change in hours of operation be not acceded to and the objectors be informed accordingly.

(3) The objections to the proposed waiting restrictions together with the revocation of a section of existing permit holder bay on Wellgate Mount, as described in the report and shown on drawing 126/18/TT522 submitted, be acceded to and the proposed restriction be not implemented, the parking bay shall remain unaltered and the objectors be informed of this decision.

(4) The Director of Legal and Democratic Services shall make the necessary Traffic Regulation Order.

(5) That an appropriate press release be issued, describing the details of the proposed scheme.

Probable date is Friday 14 June, instead of Monday 17 June 2013

Resolved:- That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development be held at the Town Hall, Rotherham on Friday, 14^th June, 2013, commencing at 10.30 am.