Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillors Jennie Bone and Mark Dearing.

The Chair invited those who wished to do so to declare any interests in respect of items on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17^th July 2024 were approved and signed as a correct record, subject to:

Minute 4 – Paragraph vii – to add ‘the weekly woods site which had been shown as a rich environment resource.’

RESOLVED:

(i)         to note the content of the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system.

(ii)        that the Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration consider the feedback from the EAP in the Council’s proposed response to the consultation.

The Policy Manager presented the report which informed Members of the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other changes to the planning system consultation, the implications for North Northamptonshire and the Council’s proposed response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.  The report also considered the implications of other relevant government announcements relating to planning.

The Deputy Prime Minister had written to all local authorities confirming her resolve to move forward with the proposed reforms and the Council was well placed to respond to the reforms.

There had been good input from all services to the consultation response and there was an opportunity to refine the response prior to its submission later this month.

The Policy Manager explained each of the chapters in the consultation and the EAP made comments.

During discussion, the following key points were noted:

i.        Officers explained that the proposed methodology for assessing housing needs was based on existing housing stock with an uplift and was trying to simplify the process.  Members believed that this change would not help with the lack of housing for older people and their need to downsize.  Officers clarified that the new methodology would give the number of houses needed but we would need local evidence about how we would want to split provision.

ii.       The government had set out that they would not be implementing the Infrastructure Levy and would build on and improve the existing system of developer contributions.

iii.      The requirement to deliver at least 10% of homes on major sites as affordable home ownership was proposed to be removed.  Officers explained that the proposal was to remove the requirement for affordable home ownership and would allow us to set our own targets around affordable housing mix, including affordable social rent.  Tenure types would be based on need.  Councillor Anne Lee strongly disagreed with this proposal as the 10% of affordable home ownership was extremely needed.

iv.      The Assistant Director explained that he understood the concerns of Councillor Lee, however the current Local Plan contained a target of 40% affordable in the rural area.  This was a local decision and was based on need and viability.  There was no proposal to change our local determination, but the proposed change would give us more flexibility on the tenure mix of the affordable home that would be delivered and to ensure that they met local needs.  The greatest need locally is for rented accommodation.

v.       Members advised they were conscious of the viability arguments put forward by developers when delivering larger schemes and were concerned how much of the 40% requirement had been delivered.  Officers responded by stating that models for affordable housing needed to be looked at and how the viability argument was overcome.

vi.      It was proposed that the terms “beauty” and “beautiful” in relation to well-designed development would be removed from the NPPF.  This was supported as there were enough mechanisms already in place to ensure well designed schemes.  There  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The EAP noted the Executive Forward Plan for September to December 2024.

The Chair thanked members and officers for their attendance and closed the meeting.

The meeting closed at 12.15pm.