Issue - meetings

Report of the Planning Policy Team Manager

The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager presented the report and outlined the consultation which had taken place from January to March 2022. It was noted that at this stage, nothing had been finalised and although recommendations had been made, these could be subject to change

Housing – Self-Build and Custom Housing

A member suggested that the policy for allocating sites within a development would not be good and asked if land could be made available as a self build area. Officers responded that the demand would be varied within the district and the lack of guidance which had been given to local authorities was highlighted. A member raised concerns that allowing self builds on developer plots would lead to security issues as developer sites need to be secured, but self builds would potentially entail some element of weekend or evening working.

A member suggested that a plot be allocated solely for self builds as opposed to designating space on developer sites however officers responded that North West Leicestershire does not own a lot of land. A member requested clarification on the term “self-build” and officers advised that it was more akin to “custom build”, for example individuals must have had an input into the design.

Housing-Space Standards

The Principal Planning Officer outlined the views which had been sought on including in the policy a minimum space standard.

Members raised concerns around viability and also noted that on some of the new developments, buildings had been really small. An officer stated that single bedroom houses had been particularly problematic in terms of floor space. A member expressed their wish to fully support this policy and felt it should be used to specify the number of square feet a developer is allowed to build in the hopes that this would encourage more smaller, and consequently more affordable, houses to be built. Issues with damp in older housing stock was discussed as was the need to ensure that new build properties are well ventilated in order to mitigate this kind of problem.

Housing – Acceptable and Adaptable Housing

Views were sought on whether the Local Plan should include a policy requiring new residential developments to meet accessible and adaptable standards of the Building Regulations.

A member asked if this would apply to all new dwellings including social homes and stated that they would like to see the potential for accessibility adaptations to be built in. Concern was also raised around the potential of exemptions being available.

Health and Wellbeing/Health Impact Assessments

Views on a proposed policy regarding how health and wellbeing issues would be addressed were discussed, including the important role planning had to play within healthy communities. Health Impact Assessments were discussed, which consider things like how well connected a development would be to community facilities or public transport, for example. A member raised concerns around allowing developers to lead with these assessments but officers offered assurance that health professionals both within the authority and externally, would be involved when  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30

The report of the Planning Policy Team Manager.