Agenda item

To consider a Final Canals Strategy for the District.

The Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development introduced the report and explained that;

·       The current Council Plan identified the need to develop a long-term Vision and Strategy for the Canals Network to support the current Cotswold Canal Connected Project, to achieve broader social, economic and environmental objectives for future projects and open funding opportunities.

·       Strategy & Resources Committee in January 2022 approved the Draft Canals Vision and Strategy for public consultation and 115 consultation representations were received.

·       Local Plan Policy (both in the current and draft new Local Plan) supported the restoration of the Canal and it was emphasised that there was not a specific proposal to restore a navigable link East of Brimscombe, connecting to the River Thames at Lechlade.  It was noted that policies and allocations in the local plan needed to be realistically deliverable within a 20 year time frame.

·       The Strategy is a supplementary planning document that supplements the current Local Plan, reinforces the Councils 2030 Strategy and emphasised the ecological emergency.

·       Finally, if adopted the Strategy would support policy ES11 (maintaining, restoring, and regenerating the District Canal) of the current Local Plan providing weight in the planning system for future development in the canal corridor to take account of the Strategy. 

The Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development responded to Members questions with the following responses:

·      Members would be required to approve a change to the Local Plan if they wanted to include the restoration of a navigable link East of Brimscombe or for it to be included in a future review of the Local Plan.

• The action plan permitted collaboration with local groups on specific projects relating to the canal and workshops with Parish and Town Councils and Community Groups.
• There was not a specific Officer at Stroud to encourage community involvement relating to equality, however Cotswold Canals were looking to recruit an Engagement Manager. Networks were also being developed with the Community Hubs in the district to encourage engagement with the canal.
• The Canal Strategy must align with the Local Plan policies and therefore cannot include a proposal to restore a navigable link East of Brimscombe. As noted earlier, the current and emerging Local Plan does not include a specific proposal to restore this section of canal.  If Members wanted to explore this, the mechanism to do so would be either a review of the policy in the Local Plan after the emerging plan had been adopted, or through Full Council via a motion or decision. 

Proposed by Councillor Watson and seconded by Councillor Drury-Layfield.

Councillor Jones proposed amendments to specific paragraphs identified in the Strategy. He proposed paragraph 1 of page 43 to read: ‘Between the three centres of Frampton, Slimbridge and Purton, there exists a number of popular recreation and historical destinations offering a variety of facilities and activities that are sometimes canal-focussed. These diverse service points are more intimately related to the communities of Frampton and Purton due to their proximity to those settlements, with the canal being enjoyed by local and visitors alike. They can be rich in their use, but the associated pressure on infrastructure, community and natural environment presents a challenge. They require integrated public transport provisions, appropriate traffic management and design that recognises the local impact and limited imposed by lack of facilities available in these rural locations. Any use should properly consider local community impact of all recreational activities and demonstrably add to local village character and the communities they serve’

Paragraph 4 of page 43 to read: ‘WWT Slimbridge is a well-known landmark destination in the locality. Canal-based projects to enhance biodiversity for the wider area and enlarge habitats for wildlife go hand-in-hand with growing canal-focussed activities and recreation outcomes associated with WWT visitors enjoying the wider area along the canal. The associated increase recreational impact on habitat, environment, landscape and community is a consequence that requires consideration. If projects are deemed worthy of progress appropriate practical management must accompany proposals to avoid appropriately fully mitigate any impact’.

Paragraph 4 on page 44 to include at the end of the second sentence ending ‘notwithstanding the constraints on development to protect local habitats’ ‘together with the areas immediately adjoining to the west that are nationally and internationally protected’.

The decision box was amended to include ‘in addition to providing delegation regarding any changes identified at Environment Committee on the 4 October 2022’ at the end of point ‘c’.

The amendment was proposed by Councillor Jones and seconded by Councillor James.

Councillor Jones informed Committee that there was still great ambition from past and current Members and from the Political Parties for the East of Brimscombe to be restored to connect the River Thames and River Severn.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried unanimously.

The Motion with the included amendment was proposed by Councillor Watson and seconded by Councillor Drury-Layfield.

On being put to the vote, there were 6 votes for, 4 against and 0 abstentions.