Issue - items at meetings - Government Consultations: Local Plan Regulations and National Planning Policy Framework

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

(1)    That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Employment, Economy & Regeneration approves the council’s response to the Government’s consultation relating to the Local Plan Regulations (see Appendix 1); and,

(2)    That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Employment, Economy & Regeneration approves the council’s response to the Government’s consultation relating to the draft National Planning Policy Framework (see Appendix 2).  The Cabinet Member will be consulted should minor amendments be suggested following officer attendance at a Department for Communities and Local Government NPPF seminar on 28 September.

33.1               The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place concerning the council’s responses to two recent Government Consultations relating to the Local Plan Regulations and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

33.2               The Cabinet Member stated that the proposed Local Plan Regulations were broadly welcomed as they would introduce changes arising from the Localism Bill and help to consolidate the Regulations into a single document. She explained that while the draft NPPF would streamline national planning policy into a single document, she had a number of concerns with the content, which appeared to contradict the government’s aims around localism. She stated that the council would continue to progress its new City Plan.

33.3               Councillor Morgan advised that he shared concerns regarding the draft NPPF, in particular that it would give developers free-reign to build in the city. He stated that unachievable housing targets would be passed on to local authorities and that the council would no longer be able to protect its urban fringe. He was also concerned about the threat to traditional high streets and stated that, despite the aims of localism, residents would have no say in planning matters and that the proposals would result in an increase in the number of planning appeals.

33.4               In response to a question from Councillor Morgan, the Cabinet Member advised that the council was not in a policy void as many policies from the Local Plan, which was adopted in 2005, had been saved when the Core Strategy was adopted. She stated that the council was committed to bringing forward developments that residents wanted, that accorded with Local Plan Policies and the needs of neighbourhoods and communities.

33.5               Councillor C Theobald advised that she had been assured that green spaces would be protected, but agreed that the draft NPPF raised questions in relation to housing targets. She stated that developers would not build homes on unsuitable sites because they would be difficult to sell and that overall, despite a small number of concerns, she welcomed the government’s proposals.

33.6               The Cabinet Member advised that the council was seeking further clarity regarding housing targets and explained that the council may be forced to include higher targets in the new City Plan than were in the South East Plan.

33.7               RESOLVED - That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the following recommendations be accepted:

(1)         That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Employment, Economy & Regeneration approves the council’s response to the Government’s consultation relating to the Local Plan Regulations (see Appendix 1); and,

(2)    That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Employment, Economy & Regeneration approves the council’s response to the Government’s consultation relating to the draft National Planning Policy Framework (see Appendix 2).  The Cabinet Member will be consulted should minor amendments be suggested following officer attendance at a Department for Communities and Local Government NPPF seminar on 28 September.