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 the refusal of inspection of documents.

The agenda contained no exempt information.

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda, however Members were in receipt of the following documents despatched as a supplement to the main agenda pack:

Agenda item 6b) Minutes of the additional Panel meeting held 3^rd November 2017

Agenda item 8 - Amendments to the Leeds Site Allocations Plan – Appendices 1 to 6

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

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest were made.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor G Latty. Councillor J Procter joined the meeting shortly after as substitute.

To agree the minutes of the following meetings as a correct record:

a)  5^th September 2017

(Copy attached)

b)  Additional meeting held 3^rd November 2017

(Copy to follow)

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the following Development Plan Panel meetings be approved:

a)  5^th September 2017

b)  3^rd November 2017 (additional meeting)

To consider the report of the Director of City Development on a specific element of the Core Strategy Selective Review (CSSR) which is currently underway. One of the key actions for the Review is to update the City Council’s housing target and the report provides opportunity for Members to comment on the evidence and implications for Leeds.

(Report attached)

The Panel considered the report of the Director of City Development on one specific element of the Core Strategy Selective Review (CSSR) which was currently underway - to update the Council’s housing requirement target which was currently set at 70,000 (net) homes between 2012 and 2028. The report set out the options for Leeds’ housing requirement over the plan period 2017 – 2033 and provided the Panel with an opportunity to comment on the evidence and implications for Leeds prior to the drafting of specific housing policies for consultation. The Panel’s comments were sought on the recommended approach to the housing requirement in the Publication Draft of the CSSR.

The Group Manager, Policy & Plans, presented the report, referencing the need to review the housing requirement target in the light of the latest evidence and performance of the housing industry; the evidence of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2017 (SHMA) and the recent consultation by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Based on the DCLG consultation and the SHMA 2017; three housing requirement option figures were identified for consideration:

The Group Manager further explained that the DCLG plan period figure of 42,384 should be regarded as a baseline figure, and he introduced the option for a fourth figure taking into account evidence from headship rates from the 2014 household projection model and adjustments in the context of 2008-based rates:

The Panel discussed the following issues:

·  Recognition for the need to adopt a realistic and deliverable target and the impact of build-out rates on the ability to deliver the target

·  One Member expressed support for the DCLG consultation figure of 42,384 reasoning that this figure was supported by the Government and would support Leeds’ case for a 5 Year Land Supply.

·  A formal response from the DCLG to the Leeds consultation submission was not anticipated, rather that all submissions would be considered and reflected in the forthcoming updated National Planning Policy Framework (anticipated in spring 2018) and through new Guidance documents.

·  Acknowledgement that the Authority needed to ensure robust evidence to support the adoption of a figure above the DCLG Consultation figure of 42,384.

·  One Member commented that adopting a figure higher than the DCLG Consultation figure could lead to land-banking by developers; falling build out rates and the development of the wrong type of houses in the wrong locations for the wrong price. Discussion on the East Leeds Extension scheme, granted permission in 2010, provided an example of a scheme where no development had yet begun on site

·  The need to reflect the desire to encourage the economy, investment and job creation in the Leeds housing requirement target and also to recognise a ‘contingency approach’ – allowing for variables across different HMCAs; demolitions etc.

·  Whether it would be better to adopt a lower target; and whether having done so, over-delivery could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development setting out a revised approach to progressing housing allocations and safeguarded land within the Leeds Site Allocations Plan through its Examination. The report details how this is necessary to ensure that the Council responsibly reflects a recent Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) consultation (‘Planning for the right homes in the right places’) which incorporated a  ‘standardised methodology’ consultation and new evidence; and ensures that Leeds has a Site Allocations Plan in place as quickly as practicable to provide certainty for investors and communities as part of a plan-led approach. The report sets out the initial scope of a revised approach together with an updated timetable to the SAP Examination for consideration.

(Report attached)

Further to minute 26 of the Panel meeting held 3^rd November 2017, the Director of City Development submitted a report providing the detail of a proposed revised approach to progressing housing allocations and safeguarded land within the Leeds Site Allocations Plan (SAP) through its Examination. The report also set out an updated timetable to the SAP Examination for consideration.

The Submission SAP currently categorised two sorts of site allocation to meet the housing need identified in the adopted Core Strategy - Identified Sites and Allocated Sites; the revised approach proposed the introduction of a third category of site - Broad Locations for Growth.

Prior to the meeting, several appendices to the report had been despatched to Members of the Panel and made available on the Council’s public website:

Appendix 1 - Submission Housing Allocations on UDP Green Belt and their proposed change

Appendix 2 - Outcome by Housing Market Characteristic Area (HMCA)

Appendix 3 - Draft Sustainability Appraisal Addendum Report.

Appendix 4 - New policy setting out the designation of Broad Locations.

Appendix 5 – Non-Green Belt Housing Allocations in Submission Draft Plan proposed to be changed from Phase 2 or 3 to Phase 1

Appendix 6 - Table showing sites designated as Safeguarded Land in the Submission Draft SAP which are proposed to be changed to Broad Locations

In presenting the report, the Group Manager, Policy & Plans, highlighted that a revised approach had become necessary to ensure that the Council reflects the likely impact of the new ‘standardised methodology’ contained in the recent Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) consultation (‘Planning for the right homes in the right places’); and responds to new evidence which suggested that the housing need in Leeds is likely to reduce when compared to that in the adopted Core Strategy.

The Group Manager referred to the following matters

-  The previous steer provided by Panel that there should be a fair share approach to using ‘Broad Locations’ throughout the Housing Market Characteristic Areas

-  The development of 5,594 homes on Green Belt land was regarded as necessary to meet Core Strategy targets by 2022/23 and assists determining the level of Green Belt release necessary to ensure that the SAP is considered by the Inspectors to be sound - in line with national guidance and the Core Strategy.

-  An element of Green Belt release was also considered necessary to remedy the Council’s current 4.38 year land supply and help demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply on Adoption of the SAP. To that end, the remainder of the proposed Green Belt allocations will be identified as Broad Locations i.e. land for 6,791 homes.

-  In order to ensure Leeds has suitable developable land available and to limit use of the Green Belt, it would be necessary to revise the phasing of some sites.

In response to a query raised at the previous meeting regarding the definition of ‘Broad Location’, it was reported that neither the National Planning Policy Framework nor National  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on the progress and conclusions of the 2017 Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) prior to its publication.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report on the progress and conclusions of the 2017 Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) prior to its publication.

The 2017 update of the SHLAA used the Council’s established methodology in accordance with national planning policy and up-to-date interpretation of planning guidance. The assessment concluded that an improving stock of deliverable land supply existed in Leeds within the context of the strengthening market, recent planning permission activity and ongoing housing growth initiatives.

The Principal Planner, Strategic Planning, presented the report. He highlighted that the SHLAA had been undertaken with interested parties, including Councillors and representatives of the housebuilding industry and as a result; the Authority could now evidence a 4.38 year housing land supply with confidence. Furthermore, the Council anticipated being able to demonstrate a 5 Year Housing Land Supply upon the adoption of the Site Allocations Plan, if not sooner, pending changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and consequent implications for the housing land supply requirement for Leeds.

(Councillor J McKenna withdrew from the meeting for a short while at this point)

The Panel noted comments on current build-out rates; the importance of collecting Council Tax rate records; and that it would be beneficial for the Panel to receive information presenting a snapshot of planning consents granted but not yet delivered along with land released and not yet delivered. The Chair suggested that a report presenting that information, along with details of the site developers, should be presented to an appropriate Joint Plans Panel meeting.

Additionally Members noted a comment that discussions with representatives of the volume house building industry would be useful to understand the reasons for the fall in the ratio of build out-rate: delivery; as it was believed that only 10-15% of planning permissions were currently being built.

In conclusion, the Chief Planning Officer reported on the outcome of a recent Court decision which provided clarity on how Local Planning Authorities take a view on  the 5 Year Housing Land Supply and the balance between what is deliverable and what is actually delivered. The intention to present a report on this matter to a future Panel meeting was noted.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and the comments made during discussions; and to agree the contents of the submitted report to be published.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 16^th January 2018 at 9.30 am

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 19^th December 2017 at 9.30 am