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.

There was no exempt information.

There were no formal late items, however, Members were in receipt of supplementary information for item 7 – Site Allocations Plan Update. (Minute 48 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 Tim Hill, Chief Planning Officer and Councillor A Carter. The Panel welcomed Councillor R Stephenson as substitute.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held 13^th November 2018 as a correct record.

RESOLVED- That, subject to an amendment to minute No.38 to read “Minute 30 -…the panel were informed that the draft main modifications had been submitted”, the minutes of the Development Plan Panel meeting held on 13^th November 2018 be approved.

Minute 39 Councils’ current position on the 5 year land supply – A member sought clarity on the current position being 4.76 years as at the Tingley Station and Thorp Arch appeals, the position had been reported at 4.38 years in recent planning appeals. The Panel noted that the Council agreed to the 4.38 years with the appellants, in order to expedite the appeal in a timely fashion and consolidate the strengthened position of an above 4 year supply.  Panel also noted that the Council’s evidence was as having a 4.76 year housing land supply and that scenarios around lower Core Strategy numbers were also put to the appeal Inspector.

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer with an update on the Site Allocations Plan.

Further to minute 30 of the meeting held 16^th October 2018, the report of the Chief Planning Officer provided the Panel with an update on the Site Allocations Plan’ position.

The Group Manager, Policy and Plans, presented the report and provided an update on the progress of the SAP process.

Members were in receipt of an additional document – a schedule of site deletions agreed with the Inspector, which the Inspector had requested the Council make public. The schedule was already available on the examination website - https://www.leeds.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/emerging-local-plan/site-allocations-plan/examination

With regard to the schedule and in response to a Members query, it was agreed to re-issue the schedule to clarify which sites had been proposed for deletion and which sites were to be re-designated as per the Inspectors comments.

Additionally, it was noted that a check of the description of the site at Pool was required to ensure that it appeared either as Safeguarded Land or Green Belt as appropriate. Officers were requested to make the change to the schedule if necessary and advise Panel Members.

In response to a query, the Legal Adviser clarified that the full list of sites remaining in the SAP would be made available shortly by the Inspector and would be publicly available through the Executive Board process.

In response to Members’ previous comments regarding their concern that the public may become confused between the two processes, officers reported the intention to publish a Local Plans Newsletter in 2019. The Newsletter would provide information on both the CSSR and SAP processes. Members requested that it also reference methodology changes, as well as clarify the changes between the SAP as submitted and the Inspectors’ modifications.

In conclusion, the Chair commented on the impact of the lateness of the receipt of the Inspectors modifications on the planning appeals process. The Chair identified the possibility of a further DPP meeting prior to anticipated January Executive Board, but noted that subject to no major changes to the modifications; to ensure the Plan is progressed in a timely way, Member briefings would suffice until DPP participated in the consultation period.

RESOLVED-

A.  To note the contents of the report and comments made during the discussions.

B.  To note that the Inspectors’ comments will be received in due course and requested that Panel Members will be updated in due course.

C.  To note the supplementary information provided at the meeting and request that the changes to the schedule providing clarity on the sites for deletion and the sites to be re-designated, are actioned.

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on the proposed changes to national planning policy and guidance by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the consultation response submitted by Leeds City Council.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer updated the Panel on the proposed changes to national planning policy and guidance by the Ministry of Housing Communities (MHCLG) and the consultation response by Leeds City Council.

The Planning Strategy Team Leader, Policy and Plans presented the report and provided the Panel with an update on the changes to National Planning Policy and Guidance, and summarised Leeds City Councils’ consultation response.

Officers confirmed that the Government had removed support for the 2016 housing projections and standard methodology published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) in September 2018. Members welcomed this approach, and reiterated support for the Councils alternative approach through the use of the 2014 projections which produced a more realistic housing target.

In response to a Members query seeking clarity on the definition of the term ‘deliverable’, Members were informed that a range of evidence is pulled together to justify the deliverability of a site.

RESOLVED-

A.  To note the report and proposes changed to national policy and guidance

B.  To note Leeds City Council’s consultation response

To note the date and time of the next meeting as 22^nd January 2019 at 13:30pm.

RESOLVED- To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 22^nd January 2019 at 13:30pm.