Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

Contact: Natasha Prosser 0113 3788021 

Items
No. Item

The Chair welcomed approximately 20 students from Leeds Beckett University in attendance, whom were studying Human Geography and Planning. Following this, brief introductions were made.

 

In addition, the Chief Planning Officer congratulated Martin Elliot on his newly appointed position of Head of Strategic Planning.

 

19.

Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents

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)

Minutes:

There were no appeals.

 

20.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

 

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

 

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

 

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:

Minutes:

There was no exempt information.

 

21.

Late Items

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

 

(The special circumstance shall be specified in the minutes).

Minutes:

There were no late items.

 

22.

Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

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

Minutes:

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

 

 

23.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Arif.

 

 

24.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 318 KB

To agree the minutes of the meetings held 24th June 2019, and 3rd September 2019, as a correct record.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVEDThat, subject to an amendment to minute 7, of the Development Plan Panel meeting held 24th June 2019, to read

 

Most sites adjoining the A65 are no longer proposed for allocation. The major site near Horsforth roundabout did have a site requirement for widening the A65 however this site is not now allocated for housing.  For the few remaining allocations (HG2-46 Horsforth Waste Water Treatment Works, HG2-234 extensions to Kirkstall Forge), specific site requirements for road widening have not been applied in the SAP as there are no plans to widen the A65.  The Quality Bus Initiative has been introduced up to Kirkstall Forge. Any future transport improvement schemes would be taken into consideration in the determination of any planning applications affected’,

 

the minutes of the DPP meetings be approved:

a)  24th June 2019

b)  3rd September 2019 (additional meeting)

 

25.

Matters Arising

Minutes:

Minute 7 Site Allocations Plan –

·  Haigh Wood North (HG2-168) and Haigh Wood West (HG2-169). A Member referred to a previous request, that the history of these sites in regard to the Unitary Development Plan (UDP), be provided. Officers confirmed that information can be provided at a later date.

 

Minute 16 Bradford Core Strategy Partial Review –

·  A Member sought clarity on the steps that had been taken since the previous meeting. In response, officers informed the Panel that:

  I.  Plan making process - an update will be provided when Bradford Council have considered Leeds' Response to Bradford’s Core Strategy Partial Review (CSPR) Preferred Options. In addition, it was confirmed that Leeds’ have had a conversation with Bradford Council, to reinforce the consultation comments; in response to this, Members’ requested that the responses which had been sent to Bradford, be circulated to Panel Members.

  II.  Continuing the conversation through the Duty to Cooperate process.

 

·  A Member referred to a recent planning seminar which had taken place, and sought clarity on whether joint meetings could be set up between officers, and Elected Members. The Panel agreed this would be something they want to explore, and the Chief Planning Officer agreed to report back on the position of this at a future Panel meeting.

 

Minute 17 Core Strategy Selective Review –

·  Officers confirmed that the date in which a person could make an application to the High Court under Section 113, would expire on the 23rd October 2019 (this is the period of six weeks starting the day after  the date on which the Plan was adopted).

 

26.

Site Allocations Plan (SAP) Review pdf icon PDF 268 KB

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer, outlining initial considerations for the SAP review. The report highlights that the CSSR was adopted by Council on 11th September, so an immediate review of the SAP in light of the revised lower housing target is now needed.

 

 (Report attached)

 

Minutes:

Further to the minutes of the meeting held, Monday 24th June 2019, the report of the Chief Planning Officer invited the Panel to note the initial considerations in reviewing the SAP housing allocations.

 

The report details that the Core Strategy Selective Review (CSSR) was adopted by Full Council on the 11th September, and the SAP Policy HGR1 requires the Council to undertake an immediate review of the SAP, to look at whether there is a need for additional housing; this would be in light of the lower housing target.

 

The Head of Strategic Planning presented the report, and provided some background context and history on the position of the SAP, and highlighted:

·  The Adopted Site Allocations Plan (2019) identifies land for 59,718 homes between 2012 and 2028;

·  46,352 (net) homes will be needed as set out in Policy SP6 and this takes into account the need to add demolitions of housing and discount a windfall allowance;

·  The technical exercises of work required to be completed to inform the evidence base will include:

o  Extending the plan period

o  Discounting housing sites already built between 2012-2017

o  Taking account of past delivery rates in individual market areas

o  Look at the up to date deliverability of the housing supply

o  Consider the effect of any permissions granted since adoption of SAP (check for changes to SAP site capacities or large windfalls)

o  Consider the need for buffers and flexibility

·  The indicative timetable – Submission by late 2020, and adoption by mid-2021.

 

Discussions with the Panel, highlighted the following matters:

 

Brownfield Sites. A Member commented that in order to come forward with any additional housing sites to meet the housing needs up to 2033, a comprehensive review of brownfield sites would be needed. In response, the Head of Strategic Planning explained that the infill of brownfield sites would be reviewed against the Spatial Policy 1 (SP1): Location of Development; it was averaged that over the last 5 years, brownfield permissions averaged at approximately 74%. In addition, Members were informed that sites they wish to recommend for allocation, or on which they have further information, officers can assess these against existing records. In addition to this, a Member queried the formalities of replacing a Greenfield site for a Brownfield site in the SAP; it was confirmed that those Greenfield sites already adopted as housing allocations, will remain allocated, and this wouldn’t be an option through the SAP review.

 

Gypsy and Traveller site provision. A Member requested to receive further clarity on the terminology of a ‘Gypsy and Traveller site’. In responding, officers explained that the term related solely to permanent caravan provision. Additionally, it was reiterated that the Inspector had agreed the plan is sound, subject to those sites being monitored, and should the required 13 sites not be met by 2023, an individual site review for provision will be required.

 

CS Spatial Policy 7 – Housing Distribution. Further information was sought on how all of the Housing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

27.

Housing Delivery Plan pdf icon PDF 129 KB

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer, introducing the draft Housing Delivery Plan (HDP) for Leeds. The HDP presents the Council’s strategic approach to policy implementation of the Local Plan as it relates to Best Council Plan priorities for housing growth, alongside inclusive growth, health and well-being and the climate emergency.

 

(Report attached)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Principle Planner, City Development, introduced the report of the Chief Planning Officer which set out the purpose of the Housing Delivery Plan (HDP) and how this presents the Council’s strategic approach to policy implementation of the Local Plan; it highlighted the Best Council Plan priorities for housing growth alongside inclusive growth, health and well-being and the climate emergency.

 

Appendix 1 to the report included a copy of the draft HDP – setting out a range of projects, programmes and strategies that are in place to boost the delivery of new housing across the City; further ensuring how the homes delivered will meet the needs of the City’s existing and future residents.

 

General discussions covered the following topics:

 

Viability– a Member referred to a scheme which had been marginally viability funded, and raised concern that this would set a precedent for future applications. In response to this, the Head of Strategic Planning explained this specific example, was a result of not having a 5 year land supply and going forward, now with a 5 year land supply the Council can seek a full range of policy requirements. In addition, the Panel were informed that officers play a key part at the outline planning application stage, in ensuring there are no key viability issues of concern.

 

Further to this, the Chair and Panel requested and agreed that an item at a future DPP meeting be added to the work schedule to review the position on viability.

 

Leeds Joint Health & Well Being Strategy(2014 - 2015) – a Member suggested that this be incorporated into the HDP to add additional weight to the document.

 

Climate Emergency ­– as well as discussing planning applications which had previously been allowed at plans panels which were below the minimum standards, Members’ agreed that climate policies were now a very important consideration in considering planning applications. In light of this, a Member specifically referred to the Citu housing developments across Leeds, and them being in line with the climate emergency ambitions, and identified these developments as being an example of what requirements the HDP should endorse.

 

Additionally, on page 7 of the HDP draft document, a Member requested that the inclusion of a word be added, for the sentence to read ‘…the protection and enhancement of green and blue infrastructure and the management of waste flows…’

 

Policy H5, Affordable Housing – further clarity was provided, and the Panel were informed 60% of affordable dwellings are needed for affordable or social rent, and 40% are needed for intermediate tenures (as defined in the NPPF). It was noted that this provides affordable homes to those on very low earnings. Intermediate affordable housing sits between the price of market housing and the price of social rented affordable housing.

 

Further to this, it was requested that the terminology of affordable housing be provided in the HDP draft document.

 

Land Banking - In responding to a query on whether the HDP draft document reflected the Independent Review of Build out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

28.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday, 12th November 2019 at 1.30pm.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday, 12th November, 2019, at 1.30pm.