Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded)

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

The agenda contained no exempt information.

There were no formal late items of business added to the agenda, however the Panel received the following supplementary document to be considered: Summary of final report of the independent review of build out rates (Rt. Hon Sir Oliver Letwin MP), October 2018 (minute 39 refers)

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Campbell, C Gruen and R J Lewis. The Panel welcomed Councillor Elizabeth Nash as substitute.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held 16^th October 2018 as a correct record

RESOLVED-  That the minutes of the Development Plan Panel meeting held on Tuesday 16^th October 2018 be approved.

Minute 29 Housing needs - Members noted that the Examination in Public on the Core Strategy Selective Review was anticipated in the first and last week in February 2019.

Additionally, Members discussed the poor quality of security measures provided by housebuilders in Leeds. The Panel noted this was a Building Regulations matter; further expressing the importance to influence house builders to liaise with the standard we expect and that prospective purchasers are able to consider the quality of purchases at the conveyancing stage.

Members noted the Chief Planning Officer’s intention to look into providing informative notes on planning decision notices.

Minute 30 Site Allocations Plan - The Panel were informed that draft main modifications had been submitted and comments were expected from the Inspector – these will be published in due course.

RESOLVED – To note the matters discussed.

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on the progress and conclusions of the 2018 SHLAA prior to its publication.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer updated the Panel on the progress and conclusions of the 2018 Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) prior to its publication.

The Group Manager, Policy and Plans, presented the report and explained that the 2018 update of the SHLAA has used the Council’s established methodology, including consultation with housebuilders, which is in accordance with national planning policy and up to date interpretation of planning guidance and has calculated the Council’s current 5 Year Land Supply as 4.76 years.

Additionally, Members noted the Secretary of State’s positive comments regarding the outcome of past appeals in the summer, Tingley Station and Thorp Arch, regarding Leeds’ 5 Year Land Supply, reported as around 4.38 years at that time and the strengthened position this has now provided the Authority in calculating the current 5 year land supply alongside the increase in planning permissions granted for housing. During the debate, Members commented that some appellants at appeal often submitted substantial information very late in the process which did not provide the Council with sufficient opportunity to process this. Panel was advised that concerns over this practice had been included in the Local Planning Authority’s response to consultation(Independent review of planning appeal inquiries: call for evidence) on the Planning Appeals process. The Chair requested that these comments be referred to the Development Management Team for action.

A comment was noted regarding the role of housebuilders in the SHLAA refresh and the need to retain evidence of their participation and clarity on agreements reached during discussions.

Members noted a correction to paragraph 3.4 which set out the windfall supply to read “2,500 per 5 years”.

The Chair welcomed the report and update, and expressed the Authority was close to being able to give significant weight to the Core Strategy (Selective Review) and Site Allocations Plan, pending receipt of the Inspectors comments.

The Panel were in receipt of a supplementary document - The Independent Review of Build Out Rates Report, written by Rt. Hon Sir Oliver Letwin MP.

The Head of Strategic Planning, presented a summary of the Letwin Report and highlighted its focus on large dwelling developments and recognition of the need for housing mix. Leeds has a collaborative approach, actively pursuing the suggested themes and the strategic housing market assessment (SHMA) evidence supported the proposition for achieving a better housing mix. A full report was anticipated to be available for Panel Members in February 2019.

Members discussed the following:

-  Whether the evidence used to conclude the Letwin Review findings are sufficient and reflective of housing need in Leeds, other core cities and nationwide.

-  Whilst welcoming the suggestion that Local Authorities should have a more “muscular role in homebuilding”, Members queried whether the creation of European-Style development companies would be applicable in the UK.

-  Noting the review made comment on large sites being defined as 1500 dwellings or more, Members expressed the view that was not reasonable nor appropriate for Leeds, and supported a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as 18^th December 2018 at 13:30pm

RESOLVED- to note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 18^th December 2018.