The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for lateness were received from Cllr Ayten Guzel.

Apologies received from the Leader, if anyone has any questions they will be answered via email following the meeting.

Members of the Council are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to the items on the agenda.

There were none given.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 November 2022.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Members of the Panel are recommended to note the report on:

·         Strategic Industrial Location policies; proposals relating to SIL intensification

·         Progress on the Enfield Local Plan including timelines and relevance to Meridian Water.

May Hope, Plan Making Manager, presented this item highlighting the key points from the report.

Following questions from Members, Officers confirmed that the Reg 18 consultation is currently being analysed and will be published around summer 2023.

Members raised the question that due to our borough being restricted through Strategic Industrial Land (SIL) and greenbelt have Officers responded to DLUC consultation regarding special circumstances. Officers explained that the consultation is currently live and a response is being prepared. There is a timelines for the implementation of the changes which will impact how Enfield will proceed.

ACTION: Officers to provide report on what response is submitted.

Officers explained polices change and evolve over time. The key document which informs our future Local Plan will be the London Plan.

Members raised concerns on the tension between housing needs and finding suitable sites. Officers explained that they use the housing needs assessment along with the employment needs. The Local Plan tries to address many needs, officers acknowledge it is a challenge. 

Members raised questions on how the Local Plan would be affected if housing numbers became guidelines and not targets. Officers explained that the numbers are advisory, and the Government inspector will look at what evidence Enfield puts forward to determine the numbers and the sites allocated in the plan. There is a standard method, which is the current one, this remains unchanged. Enfield has to work with London Plan housing requirement until the plan ends.  

In response to Members queries on building on green belt within London Plan guidelines and how do the proposed changes impact us, it was advised that if the plans come into place the timeline will not impact the current Local Plan. The Local Plan that is being developed will be under the current regime of planning.

Officers clarified that they have identified land in the west of the borough suitable for industrial use, which is aside from Junction 24 of the M25.

Officers confirmed the response from the consultation statement will be published on the website around summer time before Reg-19 is published..

ACTION: May Hope to send link from website which identifies sites within the borough (HELAA).

Officers confirmed the Local Plan is looking for at least 25km of industrial/logistics space. The Environment Land Review is being updated and will be published alongside the next version of the plan. Officers noted that the employment need figure may change once the results from the review are in.

ACTION: Officers to respond to members query what intensification of industrial sites mean and what is the on the plan to promote intensification.

Officers clarified the timelines for the plans explaining that current Local Plan was compromising the Core Strategy and Development Management Document adopted in 2010 and 2014. The London Plan was adopted in 2021 with a period going up to 2029. The Government suggests Local Plans cover 10-15 years.

The Chair thanked everyone for their time.

To note the Regeneration and Economic Development Scrutiny Panel Work Programme for 2022/23.

NOTED the work programme.

To note the dates of future meetings as follows:

Wednesday 26 April 2023

NOTED the dates of future meeting as follows:

Wednesday 26 April 2023.