23 APRIL 2012
Minutes of a meeting of the PLANNING POLICY & BUILT HERITAGE WORKING PARTY
held in the Committee Room, Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 10.00 am when there
were present:
Councillors
K E Johnson (Chairman)
Mrs S A Arnold (Vice-Chairman)
M Baker
B Cabbell Manners
Mrs A R Green
P W High
G R Jones
Mrs B McGoun
D Young
R Shepherd (observer)
B Smith (observer)
Officers
Mr M Ashwell - Planning Policy and Property Information Manager
Mr P Godwin - Conservation, Design and Landscape Manager
Mr R Howe – Planning Legal Manager
Mr J Williams – Team Leader (Major Developments)
Mrs T Armitage – Senior Planning Officer
(27)
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor N D Dixon.
(28)
MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 February 2012 were approved as a correct
record and signed by the Chairman.
(29)
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
The Chairman stated that there were no items of urgent business which he wished to
bring before the Working Party.
(30)
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mr B Cabbell Manners declared an interest in Minute 33 as site C14 was owned by
his children.
(31)
Housing Land Supply – Publication of Statement of Five Year Supply of
Residential Development Land
The Working Party considered item 1 of the Officers’ reports which provided an
overview of the amount of land which is 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.
Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party
23 April 2012
The Working Party considered a graph showing the housing trajectory which
indicated the number of dwellings which had been completed since 2001/02 and the
number of dwellings which were projected to be completed each year through to
2025/26.
The Planning Policy and Property Information Manager answered Members’
questions. Members were particularly concerned about possible land banking of
sites by developers and the impact of the LDF on the provision of housing in rural
areas, particularly in cases where people wanted to build a house for a family
member on a large plot in their ownership. It was suggested that the Government be
approached in respect of the land banking issue. The Planning Policy and Property
Information Manager considered that it would be preferable for him to bring a paper
to a future meeting of the Working Party on the land banking issue rather than
approach the Government at this stage.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED
(32)
1.
That the Statement of Housing Land Supply and Housing Trajectory is
published.
2.
That a report be prepared for consideration by the Working Party in
respect of land banking.
3.
That a report be prepared for Overview and Scrutiny Committee in
respect of the impact of the Local Development Framework on the
delivery of housing, particularly in rural areas.
4.
That the report considered by the Working Party be presented to the
Development Committee for information.
National Planning Policy Framework – Publication
The Working Party considered item 2 of the Officers’ reports which provided an
overview of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and recommended an
approach to the application of adopted development plan policies and the weight to
be attached to the NPPF in the determination of planning applications pending further
consideration.
The Planning Policy and Property Information Manager answered Members’
questions. Concerns were raised in respect of sustainability of rural communities.
The Planning Policy and Property Information Manager stated that issue of
sustainability had been considered. Rural communities would need thousands of
dwellings to justify a new school or other facilities.
In answer to a question regarding relaxation of policy in respect of barn conversions,
the Planning Policy and Property Information Manager stated that applications should
be determined in accordance with the Core Strategy. Ad hoc determinations would
lead to a change of policy by default. There was a need for a period of proper
reflection in respect of those areas of the Core Strategy which needed to be reviewed
in the light of the NNPF.
Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party
23 April 2012
Where communities’ aspirations differed from the Core Strategy in terms of housing
numbers, it would be possible for them to draw up Neighbourhood Plans which sat
alongside the Council’s Core Strategy.
Councillor G R Jones considered that it was important to consider shared ownership.
Whilst it was an expensive option, it could help people get onto the housing ladder
and he suggested that the Council could invest in the housing market by offering
loans to cover the deposit on such properties, repayable with interest when the
property was sold. The Chairman agreed to take the suggestion back for further
consideration.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED
(33)
1.
That Cabinet be recommended that pending further consideration the
Council continues to apply full weight to adopted Core Strategy policies
as a basis for reaching decisions on planning applications.
2.
That in the first instance further consideration is given to the policy
areas identified in the report.
3.
That the report be presented to Development Committee for information.
Local Development Framework Progress Report
The Working Party considered item 3 of the Officers’ reports which provided a
general update in relation to the Local Development Framework and related policy
documents and the work of the Major Development Team in relation to allocated
Development Sites.
The Planning Policy and Property Information Manager reported that consultation on
the Fakenham Draft Development Brief had been extended until 21 May. In answer
to a question he explained that the Council’s costs were limited to attendance at the
exhibition and advertising, with most of the preparation work being undertaken by the
developers at their expense.
Concern was expressed that additional financial burdens placed on developers could
have an impact on the delivery of affordable housing.
A Member requested that a requirement to use local labour be incorporated into
Development Briefs.
The Planning Policy and Property Information Manager updated the Working Party
on the progress on allocated sites. A planning application was expected to be
submitted shortly in respect of site C14.
In answer to a question regarding cyclical climate change and water supply
infrastructure, the Planning Policy and Property Information Manager reported the
views of Anglian Water and stated that it was not likely to raise a fundamental
problem.
In answer to a question the Team Leader (Major Developments) and Planning Legal
Manager explained the current position with regard to the Section 106 Obligation in
respect of site HO1.
Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party
23 April 2012
Members raised issues in respect of sustainability measures in new developments,
including grey water recycling and heat pumps. All new developments currently had
to comply with level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, but this could be achieved
by a number of measures, some of which were more costly or more effective than
others. It was suggested that the more effective measures should be promoted.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
The meeting closed at 11.35 am.
Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party
23 April 2012