Issue - meetings

Consultation on Draft National Planning Policy Framework

Meeting: 08/05/2018 - Licensing and Planning Policy Committee (Item 6)

6 Consultation on Draft National Planning Policy Framework PDF 110 KB

The Government has published its draft revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for consultation. The deadline for responses is 10 May 2018. The Committee is asked to consider the draft comments on the Government’s proposals and that, subject to any changes, agree that they form the basis of the Council’s response to the Consultation.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Committee considered the draft responses to the government’s proposals and subject to minor amendments agreed by the Committee approved the Council’s response to the consultation.

Minutes:

The Committee was informed that the government had published its draft revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for consultation. The final version was due to be published in the Summer 2018.

A discussion on the Council’s response to the proposals ensued and the Committee proffered the following comments/suggested amendments:

Chapter 2, Q2, second paragraph,	Add: ‘The Borough Council’s understanding is that this acknowledges that there is likely to be areas where there is unmet *housing need*.’
Chapter 4, Q9 final sentence	Clarification required on the Council’s view of the benefits of mandating the use of review mechanisms
Chapter 5, Q11 and question 14, paragraph 4	Council responses to correspond with the NPPF terms for small sites (10 dwellings or fewer) and major sites (11 dwellings or more)
Chapter 8	Add additional comments around viability assessments: · Introduction of further viability testing if developers haven’t commenced projects within 18 months of planning permission, through Section 106 agreement · 85% of planning permissions in the borough are for smaller sites (10 or fewer) – it would be beneficial to introduce viability testing for small sites as well as major developments. · Policies to ensure developers can’t ‘sit’ on land · Confirmation of claw back arrangements – not standard in the NPPF but the Council do have the authority to use them · Processes for ensuring that developers who make large profits provide appropriate contributions towards affordable housing
Chapter 13, Q31 paragraph 4, first line	Committee agreed to amendment suggested by representative of the Jockey club: ‘The draft NPPF restricts opportunities for new equestrian development in the Green Belt except in very special circumstances’.

The Committee considered the draft responses to the government’s proposals and subject to minor amendments agreed by the Committee approved the Council’s response to the consultation.