Agenda item - Government Consultation Relaxing Planning Rules for Change of Use from Commercial to Residential

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

(1)         That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Employment, Economy & Regeneration approves and endorses the council’s response to the Government’s consultation seeking relaxation of planning rules for change of use from commercial to residential (see Appendix A).

11.1         The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place concerning the council’s response to the Government consultation seeking to relax planning rules for change of use from commercial to residential.

11.2         Councillor C. Theobald queried why there had not been an opportunity to consider a proposed response at the previous Environment Cabinet Member Meeting in May and noted that nationally the Property Agency had welcomed the proposed relaxation of the planning rules.

11.3         The Head of Planning Strategy explained that wherever possible officers brought proposed responses to Members, however it did take time to consult with various areas within the council and on this occasion there had not been time to bring a response forward.

11.4         Councillor Kennedy noted the comments and referred to the recommendation.

11.5         RESOLVED - That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendation:

(1)         That the council’s response to the Government’s consultation seeking relaxation of planning rules for change of use from commercial to residential (see Appendix A) be approved and endorsed.