Issue - meetings

Consider report by Service Director Regulatory Services.  (Copy attached.)

With reference to paragraph 1 of the Minute of 16 July 2018, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Regulatory Services which informed the Committee of any impacts the Pilot Study had in the determining of planning applications within the trial period.  The report explained that the primary purpose of the study was to examine ways to revitalise and reinvigorate the town centres of Hawick and Galashiels by adding more flexibility to policy ED4 (Core Activities in Town Centres) within the adopted Local Development Plan (LDP) 2016.  In essence the study had recommended the removal of the core activity area in Hawick.  It also recommended the retention of the core activity area in Galashiels whilst proposing a wider and more flexible range of uses which could be supported.  The study also set out policy guidance relating to policy ED4 to be applied more broadly within other core activity areas within Scottish Borders towns’ i.e.  Galashiels, Peebles, Kelso, Melrose, Jedburgh, Selkirk, Eyemouth and Duns.  As the Pilot Study proposed to remove the core activity area from Hawick this would not be relevant to Hawick.  The guidance stated that if premises had been vacant for 6 months and evidence was submitted which confirmed it had been adequately advertised for a substantial period of that time, then that would carry weight in the decision making process. Policy ED4 also made reference to the need to give consideration of any “significant positive contribution” in relation to proposals within the core activity.  The study expanded upon examples of what were considered to be factors determining “significant positive contribution”.  In order to monitor the impacts of the recommended courses of action it was considered the study should operate as a Pilot Study for a trial period of one year.  This allowed the opportunity to draw conclusions as to the success or otherwise of these amendments and also allowed the findings to be brought forward and considered for incorporation into the proposed new Local Development Plan.  All planning applications submitted within core activity areas of town centres within the Scottish Borders were noted within the 1 year Pilot Study period from 17^th July 2018 to 17^th July 2019.  In total 15 applications were submitted within the trial period.  Although this was a relatively low number it was noted that many changes of uses of premises could take place without the need for planning permission.  The 2019 footfall studies were also shared with Members.  Members voiced concerns about the downward spiral in town centre shopping coupled with parking issues and were advised by the Principal Officer, Plans, Research, Environment that the policy allowed for flexibility to try and encourage town centre businesses.

DECISION

AGREED to:

(a)     Note the findings of the Pilot Study – which were summarised in Appendix B to the report; and  

(b)     extend the Pilot Study period until the new Town Centre Retail Policy was confirmed in the new Local Development Plan.