Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning and Infrastructure

The Planning Policy Team Manager presented the report.

Some disappointment was expressed in that the focus was still only on Leicester/Leicestershire when other neighbouring authorities would have an impact due to the close proximity to NWLDC’s northern parishes.  It was felt by some Members that housing and employment needs should be being discussed beyond the boundaries of Leicestershire.  The Planning Policy Team Manager reminded Members that Leicester/Leicestershire was the housing area NWLDC were in and that was the reason for the focus.  However, there would be many Statements of Common Grounds to be agreed and discussions with other authorities moving forward once the appropriate stage of the Local Plan had been reached.  He assured Members that these discussions would be had in the future.

In response to a question, the Planning and Policy Team Manager reported that the shortfall and redistribution need was a mixture of many things including commuters from Leicester, first time households and people moving into NWL.  He confirmed there was no way of knowing exactly what the need was at this stage but if a proportion was for people working in Leicester it would have an impact on redistribution.

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor K Merrie and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Leicester and Leicestershire Statement of Common Ground relating to housing and employment land needs (March 2021) be signed by the District Council.