15 JUNE 2015
Minutes of a meeting of the PLANNING POLICY & BUILT HERITAGE WORKING PARTY
held in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 10.00 am when there
were present:
Councillors
Mrs A Arnold (Chairman)
R Reynolds (Vice-Chairman)
Mrs A Claussen-Reynolds
Mrs J English
Mrs A Green
Mrs P Grove-Jones
J Punchard
Mrs V Uprichard
N Dixon - observing
Officers
Mr M Ashwell – Planning Policy Manager
Mrs S Ashurst – Planning Policy Team Leader
1.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
An apology for absence was received from Councillor P W High.
2.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2015 were approved as a correct
record and signed by the Chairman.
The Planning Policy Manager updated the Working Party on the two workstreams
which had been identified at the meeting relating to public open space and the
Government’s starter homes incentive for first time buyers. These workstreams
would be considered by the Working Party in due course.
3.
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
The Chairman stated that there were no items of urgent business which he wished to
bring before the Working Party.
4.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
No interests were declared.
5.
AN INTRODUCTION TO LOCAL PLANS AND THE REVIEW PROCESS
The Planning Policy Manager gave an introduction to the process and likely timetable
for a review of the Local Development Framework and the preparation of a new Local
Plan for North Norfolk. He outlined some of the main areas of work which would be
considered by the Working Party over the coming months.
The Planning Policy Manager answered Members’ questions.
 Growth was aligned with infrastructure provision. The Plan also allowed for
provision by others with contributions being made by developers.
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There was no over-arching evidence of land banking in the area. If building rates
were low, local authorities were expected to maximise the possibility of its target
being met, possibly by making additional land available.
The Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) and Strategic Housing Land
Availability Assessment (SHLAA) provided evidence of how much need and
demand there was for housing, and how it could be accommodated.
Consideration would then be given to sustainability issues.
Sustainability was not only about location and proximity to facilities, but also
included issues such as environment, drainage and wildlife.
Brownfield sites had natural priority in terms of sustainability. There would be
discussions as to which sites were held for employment and which could be
available for housing,
Plans could be rejected by the Inspector if the Duty to Co-operate was not
discharged. There was a legal obligation to co-operate.
The Northern Distributor Road (NDR) had now been agreed and might alter the
Council’s view regarding distribution but this was not a certainty. There may be
discussion as to the future growth of Norwich and whether North Norfolk could
accommodate some of the additional housing.
Councillor N D Dixon commented that there could be an opportunity to rebalance
some of the imbalances which had occurred with regard to jobs and infrastructure. It
would become more apparent as the process evolved as to the challenges the
Council would face.
Councillor R Reynolds referred to the former airbases at West Raynham and
Sculthorpe which needed to be borne in mind.
The Working Party noted the report.
6.
THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (LDS), REGULATION 18 NOTIFICATION
AND STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT (SCI)
The Planning Policy Manager presented a report which summarised the contents of
the following documents:
1. Local Development Scheme (LDS) which sets out the likely timetable for adoption
of a new Local plan for the district, highlighting the main regulatory requirements the
emerging Local Plan must meet in order to be found ‘sound’ and legally compliant;
2. The Regulation 18 notification document which sets out what the Council
considers to be the required scope of the new Local plan, and;
3. The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) which sets out how the Council
will consult people throughout the Local Plan preparation process and when planning
applications are made.
Town and Parish Councils would be aware of the LDS timetable and could attend the
examination. Consultation methods had not yet been decided upon.
Councillor R Reynolds stated that plans would last for at least 15 years, and possibly
for up to 20 years. Referring to site allocations, and in particular to Fakenham, he
stated that development could take many years, or proceed quickly. He proposed
the recommendation as set out in the report, which was seconded by Councillor Mrs
V Uprichard.
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Councillor J Punchard expressed concern that the consultation period had been set
for August when most Town and Parish Councils did not meet. The Planning Policy
Team Leader explained that this issue had been recognised and the planned
consultation period had been extended by two weeks to allow for it. Three was a
need to get the documents out as soon as possible.
Councillor Mrs P Grove-Jones referred to concerns raised by Stalham Town Council
in relation to the site allocations made under the current plan, and considered that
there should more information as to why particular sites were chosen.
In response to a question by Councillor Mrs A R Green, the Planning Policy Manager
explained that the Inspector was impartial and should not have any connection with
the area. The Inspector would take time to understand the plan before the
examination in public. The process from submission to issue of the decision would
take approximately one year.
RECOMMENDED to Cabinet unanimously
7.
1.
The publication of the Local Development Scheme (LDS) as the timetable
for production of a new Local Plan for the District as soon as reasonably
practicable following authorisation by Cabinet, but in any case having
effect from the 3 August 2015.
2.
The publication of the Regulation 18 Notification document as the scope
of the emerging Local Plan for North Norfolk and to authorise the formal
notification of all those specified in the regulations, and to invite
representations on the scope of the new local plan for a period of not less
than 8 weeks commencing on the 17 August 2015.
3.
The publication of the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), and to
authorise a period of consultation of not less than 8 weeks commencing
on 17 August 2015.
HOUSING LAND SUPPLY – PUBLICATION OF STATEMENT OF FIVE YEAR
SUPPLY OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT LAND
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The Planning Policy Manager presented a report which gave an overview of the
amount of land available for housing development in the District, identified how much
of this land might reasonably be expected to be developed over the next five years
and sought authority to publish a statement of the Council’s position.
In response to Members’ questions, the Planning Policy Manager explained the
demographics which drove the need for development in the District. The SHMA
would provide an objective assessment of numbers. Vacant dwellings and second
homes had to be accounted for. Specialist consultants would be commissioned to
produce the SHMA as the Authority did not have the necessary expertise.
It was proposed by Councillor R Reynolds, seconded by Councillor J Punchard and
RECOMMENDED
1.
That the publication of the Land Supply Statement be recommended to
Cabinet.
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2.
8.
That the report be presented to the Development Committee as an item
for information.
UPDATE ON GENERAL ISSUES
The Planning Policy Manager considered that more changes to the planning process
could be expected, and that there could be changes to the plan making process.
The meeting closed at 11.45 am.
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