Issue - meetings

Report of the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager

The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager presented the report.

A Member was acutely concerned with the plan to allow self-builds outside of limits to development in certain circumstances. He noted that it was contrary to an initial policy agreed by the Local Plan Committee for consultation in March 2023. In response, the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager advised that these changes reflected statutory constraints imposed by Central Government and the need to avoid decisions of the Council being successfully appealed on a frequent basis.

In response to a Member asking how often self-build sites ended up as developer sites, the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager advised that one of the things which was key was securing the self and custom builds with a legal agreement to tie them down as much as possible within the permission granted.

A couple of Members commented on the need to provide the required Gypsy and Traveller sites within the next Local Plan, and that this must be financially and strategically supported by other local authorities within Leicestershire. The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager accepted that discussions with other local authorities within Leicestershire on providing services for Gypsies and Travellers would be wise and discussions down the line would be had.

Following a discussion on self-build housing, the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager advised on the statutory definitions of self and custom build housing. He added that it was possible to allocate specific sites for self-build although it was an issue to be considered further down the line.

A Member circulated a suggested amendment to the recommendations in relation to self and custom builds.  Following a debate, and advice from the Legal Advisor, Members felt a deferral of that element be more appropriate to allow further time to consider whether a change to the policy would be appropriate. This will be addressed in a report which the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager will bring before the committee in January, and Members will consequently have a further opportunity to consider and discuss the matter.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor M Wyatt and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The approval of the draft policy in respect of self and custom build as set out at Appendix A for the purposes of public consultation be deferred so to be reconsidered at the next meeting.

2.     The intention to assess in more detail the potential for using negotiated stopping to address the temporary accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers be noted.