Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development that informs Executive Board of the work undertaken since the High Court Judgment relating to the Site Allocations Plan statutory challenge, and the requirements for the remittal of the SAP to the Secretary of State. The report also sets out indicative timescales. On this basis, the report seeks approval to commence consultation on the proposed Main Modifications to the SAP.

Further to Minute No. 19, 26^th June 2019, the Director of City Development submitted a report that provided an update on the work undertaken since the High Court Judgment relating to the Site Allocations Plan (SAP) statutory challenge, and the requirements for the remittal of the SAP to the Secretary of State. The report also set out indicative timescales. On this basis, the report sought approval to commence consultation on the proposed Main Modifications to the SAP.

In introducing the report, the Executive member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development provided an update on the current position regarding the remittal process, and highlighted the resolution of Development Plan Panel from its meeting of 11^th December 2020 which recommended to Executive Board that it approves for the purposes of public consultation, the Main Modifications along with the supporting Sustainability Appraisal Addendum and all necessary technical background documents.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry regarding a number of schemes, with specific reference to the former city college site in Horsforth, and the potential impact that the High Court judgement and the current remittal process may have upon the status of any Plans Panel deliberations regarding this site or others in similar situations, officers provided the Member in question with further detail on the overarching plan making process which was running in parallel with the individual planning application process, and in addition undertook to provide further detail to Board Members in writing.

Also, responding to a Member’s enquiries, the Board received further detail on the actions being taken to increase delivery of affordable housing provision in the city centre and other areas. Regarding the Government’s ‘Planning for the Future’ White Paper, Members were advised that the Council had provided a submission to Government as part of the consultation process but that further detail was awaited.

Members also highlighted the recent announcement made by the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick, which it was noted would look to encourage more homes to be built in England’s 20 largest cities, which included Leeds. It was noted that further detail on this was awaited, however, Members considered the potential implications of this for the city.

In considering the changes which had been made by Government in respect of planning and local housing need guidance over recent years, it was requested that further detail on such matters be provided to Board Members for their information.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the resolution of Development Plan Panel from its meeting of 11^th December 2020, which recommended Executive Board to approve the Main Modifications for public consultation, along with the supporting Sustainability Appraisal Addendum and all necessary technical background documents, be noted;

(b)  That the reasons for the proposed Main Modifications, as detailed within the submitted report, be noted;

(c)  That the following be approved for the purposes of public consultation:-

(i)  The Proposed Main Modifications to the SAP (as detailed at Appendix 7 to the submitted report); and

(ii)  The Sustainability Appraisal Addendum (Appendix 5 to the submitted report) in support of the Plan.

(The matters referred to within this minute, given that they were decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, were not eligible for Call In, as Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rule 5.1.2 states that the power to Call In decisions does not extend to those decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules)