Issue - meetings

The report of the Chief Planning Officer provides members of the Development Plan Panel, with an update on the Core Strategy Selective Review prior to the Executive Board meeting on 4^th September 2019.

(Appendix 1 to follow)

Further to Minute No. 86 of the meeting held 15^th May 2019, the report of the Chief Planning Officer invited the Panel to note the progression of the Core Strategy Selective Review and invited Development Plan Panel to recommend to Executive Board that: Executive Board note the Inspector’s final report on the Publication Draft and endorses the Core Strategy Selective Review.

It was noted that prior to the meeting, Panel Members had received a form late item including the Executive Board Report, Appendix 1 – Inspector’s Report and Main Modifications, Appendix 2 – Adoption Version Core Strategy Selective Review, Appendix 3 – Equality, Diversity, Cohesion and Integration Screening, all of which were to be taken into consideration by Panel Members.

The Team Leader presented the report and summarised the main points detailed in the Executive Board Report. Members noted the CSSR would be considered by EB by 3^rd September 2019 with a recommendation that Full Council be recommended to adopt the draft CSSR (Version for Adoption).

In response to Members’ comments and concerns, the Panel received further information regarding:

·  Policy SP7 (housing distribution). A Member noted the importance of the Inspector’s modification to give regard to past delivery of housing in different HMCAs when making new allocations

·  Policy H9. Members agreed that the change of policy wording for substituting ‘should’ for ‘must, enabled a much stronger position.

·  Viability of green-space. A Member queried whether developers would have the ability to buy out their greenspace requirements, and raised concerns over the impact on climate change. In responding, officers confirmed that all of the policy asks are viable at the date of the Development Plan. In addition, the Legal Officer explained that if a development hadn’t been policy compliant in a particular area, that Members deem appropriate, it is at the discretion of Members whether they choose to forgo a policy to deliver that deemed appropriate, or whether a planning application is refused/ or deferred until a later date.

·  Training and Support materials. Officers confirmed sessions were going to be scheduled for Development Management colleagues to be briefed on policies in regard to the CSSR, including Policy H10.

The Chair summarised by re-iterating the advanced position the Council are in with the adopted Site Allocations Plan (SAP), and having more than a 5 year housing land supply, which added significant weight when considering planning applications.

RESOLVED -

a) To note the contents of the report, including the Executive Board report and its appendices (at Appendix 1), and the related discussions at the meeting on the progression of the Core Strategy Selective Review;

b) That Executive Board be recommended to endorse adoption of the CSSR by Full Council.