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.

There were no exempt items.

There were no formal late items.

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 disclosbale pecuniary interests.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D Collins. Councillor D Cohen acted as a substitute for Councillor D Collins.

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer that invites Members to comment on the draft responses to the White Paper set out in Appendix 1. The paper provides responses to the proposals and consultation questions set by the Government but also makes a number of wider points, beyond the set consultation questions. Members’ views are necessary in order to inform a Leeds City Council response to the Government’s White Paper on the reform of the Planning System.

Further to the minutes of the meeting held 8^th September 2020, the report of the Chief Planning Officer set out the draft responses to the proposals and consultation questions set by the Government.

A copy of the draft responses to the White Paper had been appended to the submitted report.

The Head of Strategic Planning introduced the report, and explained that the draft final response submitted on behalf of the council included a cross party input, together with comments from Members at Full Council, the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee (CEAC) and Members at the Development Plan Panel sub group. The Panel were informed that a request from a Member of the CEAC had been made for the response to seek clarity on the number of permission granted against Build out Rates.

Additionally it was noted that there had been wide cross council officer consultation, as well as engagement outside the council with the Core Cities Group, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Leeds Gypsies and Travellers Exchange. The Gypsies and Travellers Exchange had submitted their concerns that they felt marginalised by the proposals, and the proposed removal of the Duty to Cooperate.

The proposals in the White Paper had been split into three topic areas, referred to as Pillars. A summary of each Pillar had been outlined and in turn, the following key points had been highlighted in responding to the Governments questions:

Pillar 1: Planning for Development

·  The LA is of the view that planning requires a broad spatial function as opposed to a regulatory land-use tool;

·  Clarity on the differences between growth and renewal areas;

·  Clarity on whether a ‘zoning approach’ would be implemented and how that would apply across the city and urban geographies;

·  To address the need for volume housebuilders to deliver quality homes.

Pillar 2: Beautiful and Sustainable Place

·  To seek clarity on the definition of what is meant by ‘design’ against the climate emergency, health and wellbeing and inclusive growth agenda, all of which should be planning considerations.

Pillar 3: Planning for Infrastructure and Connected Places

·  To determine whether the reformed levy would be set nationally, locally or a mixture of both to reflect local circumstances;

·  Concerns regarding the loss of flexibility of marginal sites;

·  The increase of developer contributions would be welcomed in line with strategic viability and growth plans;

·  Concerns regarding the LA borrowing against future levy revenues.

In responding to concerns raised by Members, the Panel discussed the following:

·  The impact on the effect of the new mayoralty – the Planning White Paper does not acknowledge a Spatial Development Strategy. The response provided sought to identify how the proposed changes aligned in the context of the Combined Authority plan making processes.

·  Neighbourhood Plans (NPs) – Leeds provided good examples of preparing NPs, and engaged with communities at a bottom up level. Challenges were identified regarding ward capacity, and false perceptions of NPs.

·  Review of EN1 and EN2 – it was confirmed that the Local Plan Review would look at the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer that informs Members of the consultation on changes to the planning system that concerns the standard method of calculating housing requirements, affordable housing (introduction of First Homes and raising the size thresholds of eligible sites) and extending the Permission in Principle option to major development. Appendix 1 sets out the full City Council response.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer detailed the consultation “Changes to the Planning System” that set out measures to improve the effectiveness of the current planning system.

Appended to the report included the City Council response.

The Head of Strategic Planning introduced the report, and explained that the consultation period ended on 1 October 2020, of which focused on technical changes. It was noted that the consultation was distinct from the Planning White Paper consultation. The 4 main proposals were as follows:

·  Changes to the standard method for assessing local housing need;

·  Securing of affordable First Homes through developer contributions;

·  Temporary lifting the small sites threshold below which developers do not need to provide affordable housing;

·  Extending the current Permission in Principle to major development.

In response to a comment regarding Members’ input on the consultation, officers explained that the proposals as set out in the consultation focused on specific technical issues that were partially considered in the Planning White Paper.  Members were informed that any outstanding areas of concern can be picked up in addition to the submitted response.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the submitted report and the City Council response.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 3^rd November 2020 at 1.30 p.m.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 3^rd November 2020 at 1.30 p.m.