Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning and Infrastructure

The Principal Planning Policy Officer presented the report to Members.

A Member was unhappy in relation to the First Home aspect which was a Government initiative, but was pleased, however that rented housing would be the next priority.  In response to a question, the Planning Policy Team Manager confirmed that the Supplementary Planning Document would need to be reviewed once the Local Plan was adopted.

In relation to the wording of section (5) in the proposed planning policy H4 as detailed at appendix 1, a Member questioned the use of the word ‘encourage’ for the provision of affordable homes for elderly people.  It was felt that providing affordable homes for elderly people was of a high importance and therefore developers should be told to make provision rather than encouraged.  The Portfolio Holder concurred with the comments.  The Planning Policy Team Manager explained that the local policy did state ‘encourage’ as at the time of adoption there was not enough evidence to make it stronger, however this could now be looked at going forward.

A regular suggestion made at previous meetings was reiterated by a Member in relation to the use of factory built houses in areas such as Castle Donington that required more affordable homes for people that worked in the area, this was endorsed by a number of Members.

It was moved by Councillor D Bigby, seconded by Councillor J Hoult and

RESOLVED THAT:

The draft Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document in appendix 1 be approved for public consultation.