Plan:MK

Post date: Aug 24, 2017 3:1:15 PM

The Council of Faiths considered Plan:MK over three meetings, including a special meeting devoted wholly to formulating and agreeing our response. Cllr Sam Crooks facilitated these discussions.

The main decisions agree were:

Places of Worship

·         There was disappointment that previous representations to the Council a year ago regarding the need for fewer larger sites for places of worship had not been included in the draft plan.

·         Our Chair highlighted that he knew now of a least 4 churches needing sites of greater than 2.5 acres, one of 5 acres, one of 8 acres and two of 3 acres.

·         This did not include the needs of other faiths. A Hindu temple was needed, plus at least two mosques.

·         A site for multi-faith use should be considered.

·         So, there was a shortage in supply now. A catch up in supply was needed.

·         The plan should include enough sites for the backlog and the increase in population.

·         The current plan assumes places of worship will be in employment areas due to parking issues in residential areas, but new brown or green field sites are also required. This is because many of the faith groups – Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus, for example – require brown or greenfield sites on which they can build from scratch to reflect their particular architectural preferences. This also applies to a minority of Christian groups.

·         Most faiths want freehold sites, not a Community Foundation leasehold.

Cemeteries

·         For some faiths traditional burial sites are required, ie not green burial sites.

·         Supply should expand in line with population growth.

·         We support the current system of designating areas for different faith groups.

·         Crematoria need to be able to cope with the increase in population 

House Design

·         A variety of densities and size was needed.

·         Higher level of parking was needed.

·         More space for larger families was needed.

·         Sustainable energy should be built in to new designs 

Jobs

·         We support the 1.5 jobs per house policy.

·         Good broadband access is needed.

·         Good mobile phone coverage is also needed.

Neighbourhoods

·         We need a mix of house tenure; private, affordable and for both private and social rent.

·         We support the policy of pepper potting social housing.

·         We need a higher percentage of affordable housing.

·         Neighbourhoods should be a community, not just houses. They should include community facilities, such as a local centre, shops, play areas and community centres.

·         The management of community centres by schools does not work for all faith communities, especially those that need to meet on week days.

·         Need areas to play.

Schools

·         We believe that schools should be co-educational.

·         There should be provision for childcare.

·         The majority of those present where against faith schools, but one or two reps were going to check back with their faith group.

Transport

·         We support the continuation of Grid Roads.

·         Public Transport needs to be improved, and a higher frequency of provision provided.

·         We would support the introduction of a mass transport system, such as a tram, as the city grows.

Open Space/Recreation

·         We support retaining the current percentage level of green open space as the city expands.

·         We need out door facilities for young people.

·         We need an adequate level of leisure facilities.