TAUNTON SUB AREA STRATEGY
STRATEGIC PLANNING, TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PANEL
- 3 MARCH 2005
On Thursday 3 March 2005 a meeting of the Review Panel was held to consider
the Taunton Sub Area Study. To assist with the Regional Spatial Strategy the
South West Regional Assembly had commissioned Somerset County Council to lead
a Sub Area Study to identify and advise on the most desirable future development
pattern for Taunton.
The meeting was held at St Andrews Church Hall, Taunton and was attended by
Taunton Deane Councillors, County Councillors for Taunton Deane Area, Parish
Council representatives, Residents Association representatives and members of
the public.
The following timetable is provided to set out the various stages associated
with the Regional Spatial Strategy and Taunton Sub Area Study:-
The following timetable sets out the various decision processes:-
| 22 March 2005 |
TDBC Executive |
To consider Taunton Sub Area Strategy summary and final report |
| 23 March 2005 |
SCC Executive |
To consider Taunton Sub Area Strategy summary and final report |
| 30 March 2005 |
South West Regional Assembly |
Meet Taunton Sub Area Strategy Steering Group Representatives to receive
summary and report |
| 31 May 2005 |
|
Deadline for strategic authorities to put forward sub-regional policy
proposals for possible inclusion in draft Regional Spatial Strategy |
| July 2005 |
|
Stakeholder consultation on core strategy for Regional Spatial Strategy
|
| December 2005 |
|
Submission of Draft Regional Spatial Strategy to Secretary of State |
| January 2006 to April 2006 |
|
Public consultation on Draft Regional Spatial Strategy |
Further details can be obtained from the South West Regional Assembly website
by clicking on the attached link:-
http://www.southwest-ra.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=818
(external link)
During the meeting a number of comments were made and it was agreed that they
would be forwarded to the Council's Executive for consideration before the Council's
response was submitted to Somerset County Council. The comments are as follows:-
Mr John Reed, Reed Holland Associates
Expressed concerns regarding:-
density levels based on Option 1b and possible loss of public open space to
allow the level of development suggested.
quality of life issues from A38 and motorway
Mr Payne, Comeytrowe Rise Residents Association
Supportive of development proposals at Monkton Heathfield
Questioned how Comeytrowe related to the Vision
County Councillor Stephen Martin-Scott, SCC
Requested clarity concerning the framework
Mr Alan Debenham, Local Resident
Supported Option 1a
Concerned about Global effect of development
Mr Brian Larkham, Chairman, Comeytrowe Parish Council
A38 - limited access available
Comeytrowe had suffered from piecemeal development in previous years
Any development should be properly phased to ensure necessary infrastructure
is provided
Mr Chris Mann, Local Resident
Sufficient employment opportunities should be provided to support any new
housing
Concerned regarding levels of congestion
Consultation needs to properly informed
Mr Jeremy Backhouse
Concerned regarding impact of Northern Inner Distributor Road on Staplegrove
Road
Lack of evidence provided to support infrastructure
Mr Alexander Ferguson and Mr Graham Ward, Taunton Civic Society
Lack of representation from young people
Strategies should be developed to attract new business to area to support
levels of housing proposed
Need to improve low wage economy
Lack of references to economic development
Expansion of hospital important
County Councillor John Smeaton, SCC
Housing figures imposed by Central Government - forced growth
PUA status supported
Slow rates of growth preferred
Mrs Jean Allgrove, Vice Chair, Comeytrowe Parish Council
Wellington needs to accept additional development growth
Access from A303 to Junction 25 important
Questions where funding for infrastructure will come from
Comeytrowe had received 30 years of piecemeal growth unable to accept more
Development east of motorway well related to existing services
Mr Jeremy Brown, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Liberal Democrats
Accepts that some development is necessary
Important that economic growth is supported
Concern regarding high housing costs against a low wage economy
Scale of development unacceptable for three main reasons:-
imposed by Central Government
effect on character of Taunton
development limited by infrastructure
Mr Tony Waldridge, Local resident
Extensive development already occurred
Concern regarding sustainability and loss of more green land to building
New park should be provided before any future housing growth
Councillor Weston, TDBC
Important to respond to the social and economic needs ahead of the housing
needs (including open space and infrastructure)
Piecemeal development not supported - must be comprehensive
Miss Phippin, Local Resident
Questions where funding for infrastructure will come from
Public transport improvements essential
Mr Adrian Flook, MP
Proposals too big
Infrastructure must be in place
Quality of jobs important
Decision for growth not taken locally
Consultation period on such a major topic is too short
County Councillor Mrs Waymouth, SCC
Supportive of Monkton Heathfield Development Guide which will ensure phased
development and delivery of infrastructure and reflected the views of the local
community
Concerned at levels of future growth
Shape of Taunton spreading too far east
Improvements to transport essential
Mr Jefferson Horsley, Local Resident
Supportive of Principal Urban Status for Taunton
Councillor Leighton, TDBC
No more growth at Monkton Heathfield
Development east of motorway should be resisted
Smaller developments should be considered throughout Taunton Deane
Important that economic growth is supported
Mrs Helen Phillips, Local Resident
Provision of open space/parks important
Concerned that Taunton and some of the outlying villages are becoming merged
High levels of growth should be resisted
Catherine Herbert, South Road Residents Association
Protection of Vivary Green Wedge important to keep countryside in Taunton
Concerned that Taunton Deane is a low wage economy and more should be done
to attract quality employers
Councillor John Williams, Leader of the Council, TDBC
Accepts that some levels of development will be necessary
Housing provision should be determined by employment
Growth has been accepted as part of Vision but not the explosion proposed
Infrastructure must be provided
Quality employment must be provided to ensure less migration of young people
Development east of motorway must be resisted
Consultation programme needs to be improved
Mrs Jo Waldridge, Local Resident
Concerned that relief road to support Option 1a will destroy large amounts
of green land
Councillor Paul, TDBC
Not supportive of development at Comeytrowe
Councillor Henley, TDBC
Not supportive of development east of motorway
Growth could be accepted at Wellington, i.e. Longforth Farm, to delivery essential
infrastructure for town
Councillor Meikle, TDBC
Economic growth must be delivered to support future development
Cultural quarter essential to attracting high calibre workers
Not supportive of high levels of growth
Important that social implications of any development are fully examined
Councillor Watson, TDBC
Concerned that Taunton was becoming a huge housing estate - important to
maintain character
Infrastructure to be provided
Councillor Croad, TDBC
Vision key to Taunton's future
Concerned that "cherry picking" of key sites should be resisted
Economic development and infrastructure needs to be addressed to support levels
of growth
Contact Officers:-
Mr Ralph Willoughby-Foster, Forward Plan Manager - 01823 356480
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