Cabinet
10 January 2011
Agenda Item No______8_______
NORTH NORFOLK SITE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND
CONVERSION AND RE-USE OF RURAL BUILDINGS AS DWELLINGS POLICY REVIEW.
Summary:
This report asks Cabinet to recommend to Council that the Site
Specific Proposals Development Plan and a revised Core Strategy
policy in relation to the Conversion and re-use of Rural Buildings as
dwellings (Core Strategy Single Policy Review) are adopted.
Conclusions:
The Council has consulted widely on the options available for the
allocation of land for new development sites in North Norfolk and the
approach to be taken to the re-use of buildings as dwellings. Delivery
of key corporate objectives, particularly in relation to the delivery of
affordable housing, and addressing a number of locally identified
needs, is dependant upon the adoption of up to date development
plan policies. Adoption of these development plan documents is a key
performance milestone identified in the adopted Local Development
Scheme (the LDF program document).
Recommendations:
That Cabinet recommends to Council that the Site Specific Proposals
Development Plan, amended Proposals Map, and Single Policy
Review are adopted.
Cabinet member(s):
Ward(s) affected:
All
All
Mark Ashwell, 01263 516325
Contact Officer, telephone number,
mark.ashwell@north-norfolk.gov.uk
and e-mail:
1.
Introduction
1.1
In September 2008 the Council adopted the first element of the new Local Development
Framework for North Norfolk. The Core Strategy provides the strategic planning
framework for the District for the period up to 2021 and specifies the types, quantities
and general locations on new development in the district, as well as providing detailed
development control policies to inform decisions on planning applications.
1.2
The Draft Site Specific Proposals Development Plan proposes a number of individual
development sites for housing, mixed use, retail, employment, and car parking within
and adjacent to twenty-four settlements in the district. These newly allocated
development sites will be shown on an amended Proposals Map, and explained/justified
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10 January 2011
in a range of supporting documents.
1.3
In parallel with this work the Local Development Framework Working Party has
completed a review of the Council’s approach to the re-use of rural buildings in the
district as dwellings with a view to replacing the current development plan policy relating
to this issue (Policy LP29 of the Core Strategy).
1.4
Both documents, and a range of supporting information, have been subject to significant
consultation and the LDF Working Party has amended the proposals where possible to
reflect the concerns of consultees. Working Party decisions have been endorsed by
Cabinet and the final documents have now been subject to independent examination.
The independent Inspector has now issued his findings and these are explained in his
binding reports.
2.
Inspectors Conclusions
2.1
The purpose of the Independent examination process is to establish if the Plans have
been prepared in accordance with a number of regulatory requirements, collectively
called the legal compliance test, and secondly, to consider if the Plans are generally
‘sound’.
2.2
In relation to the SSP document the Inspectors report concludes that ‘the North Norfolk
Site Specific Proposals Development Plan Document provides an appropriate basis for
the planning of the District over the next 15 years. The Council has sufficient evidence to
support the proposals and can show that they have a reasonable chance of being
delivered.
2.3
A limited number of changes are needed to meet legal and statutory requirements.
These can be summarised as follows:
•
•
Deletion of proposed housing allocation on land south of Cromer Road, Holt
(Gresham’s School) and its replacement by a new allocation on Land West of
Woodfield Road, Holt.
Adoption of Key Changes and other minor modifications as proposed by the
Council.’
2.4
Similarly in relation to the Re-Use of Rural Buildings as Dwellings policy his report
concludes that ‘the North Norfolk Single Policy Review (Conversion and Re-Use of Rural
Buildings as Dwellings) Development Plan Document provides an appropriate basis for
the planning of this matter in the District up to 2021. The Council has sufficient evidence
to support the proposed policy and can show that it has a reasonable chance of being
successfully implemented. No changes are needed to meet legal and statutory
requirements.’
2.5
With the one notable exception of the proposals at Gresham’s School the Inspector has
found that both Plans are legally compliant and sound and that the only other changes
which are necessary are those that were either promoted by, or supported by the
Council through the examination process.
2.7
A summary of his conclusions in relation to both documents are attached as Appendix B.
3.
Financial Implications
3.1
The costs associated with the examinations and the adoption process is included within
the budget.
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10 January 2011
3.2
Up-to-date development plan documents are a prerequisite to the managed delivery of
future development in the district and provide the statutory land use policy context which
underpins housing (including affordable housing), employment, community,
environmental and other strategies. Substantial funding is directly or indirectly linked to
the completion of new development including the New Homes Bonus which will replace
Housing Planning Delivery Grant.
4.
Risks
4.1
The development of land is controversial. A number of the proposed development sites
have been the subject of significant levels of local objection in previous rounds of
consultation. The potential impacts of development on the environment, concerns in
relation to residential amenity issues, and the ability of services and infrastructure to
accommodate developments have been key issues. The Working Party considers that it
has balanced meeting the needs of the district against the likely impacts of the
developments proposed.
4.2
Failure to adopt the Plans within the published timeframe is likely to delay much needed
developments particularly in relation to general housing provision and, in particular,
undermine the Councils ability to deliver any significant increase in the provision of
affordable housing.
5.
Equality
5.1
The Site Specific Proposals Plan and Single Policy Review raise no significant equality
issues. Both documents have been subject to an ‘Equality Impact Assessment’.