Minutes:
·
Planning
Nothing
immediate to report although noted that a number of local plans being moved
along. VA raised concerns that often
issues with Public Rights of Way adjacent to building site areas. Often during works these become wrongly
signed as walking and cycling routes when they are bridleways or bridleways
being ignored completely. Most notable
issues where ROW are just outside the construction area. Statutory Duty upon the contractor to include
accurate ROW availability in their plan and that members should raise this with
the LPA when absent and contractor will be required to re-submit their plan.
RD
noted that there were mentioned as examples, particular issues in Blaby and
that there was a need to look at the network as a whole during the planning
process.
PL
confirmed contractors often asked for Section 106 funding but now tend to ask
under S278 Agreement of the Highways Act.
Local Authority cannot apply conditions to a developer they cannot
fulfil, but where they cannot find another way to maintain the ROW there should
be a route through provided. The planning framework LCWIPS does provide for the
developer to contribute to a ROW. EM
said mostly the system is working but recognised that some things do get
missed. Issues noted in the Loughborough
Garendon Park development. EM confirmed that the developer has been
asked to re-submit plans. RD asked for sight of this and this would be referred
to working group.
MW
raised ROW being lost in solar and battery farms development. Funding available (£250m community funding is
available), but nothing included in the Plan often a gentleman’s agreement
rather than being conditional to make routes at least accessible. Also, biodiversity net gain is something else
which can be included. Agreed that these
were things that should be continued to be kept on the agenda so we can enforce
what we can do where appropriate.
· Lost and Unrecorded
Ways
BHS
system discussed and noted availability to all to gather information.
Availability of on-line material is making task easier but feeling that
application process is slowing down.
Noted
that RD had resigned as Organiser Coordinator for the Ramblers Association.
BS
recorded that there was a lack of transparency with information. He had been made aware of a possibility of a
site around Isley Walton for development and then it was published by the BBC
on a website that 4500 homes to go up which also superseded field work on
footpaths that had been undertaken.
MM
offered to look at maps for new areas identified for development in NW Leics geolocate them and link the planning overlays with
QGIS.
EM
and PL indicated that they were prepared to conduct a pilot on NW Leics site using QGIS and overlays. Agreed that this was a worthy project to be
added to next agenda.
Noted
that claimed ROW are disclosed when planning.
Agreed
that informal groups such as BHS and the Ramblers Society should be consulted
when schemes are put together.
· Canals
No update.
· Charnwood Forest
RD
confirmed that the Charnwood Forest map was now available for sale. Charnwood Project confirmed that there is to
be a permitted path at Mount St Bernard’s Abbey to Charley Estate.
Car
park complete at the Outwoods.
Bradgate
Park Deer park to Old John path project will go ahead to provide a more secure
walking surface (not a bridleway).
9
major projects within a 5-year plan which is expected to be extended.
Noted
that match funding of £5.5m was available.
A
reminder needed to be issued to notify archaeology if anything was uncovered
during construction. An application to
be a geopark had been submitted. Fossils
have been found at an undisclosed location and archaeology was working to
preserve them.