Issue - meetings

The report of the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager

The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager presented the report and along with the Principal Planning Policy Officers, summarised each of the policies for consideration.

For clarification prior to the discussion, the Legal Advisor explained the ‘duty to co-operate’ requirement in relation to the current consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).   Discussion from Members followed in which reference was made to the possibility of looking again at allocated sites for development.  The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager confirmed that this was still uncertain and would come back to Committee in due course.

During continued discussion on the ‘duty to co-operate’ requirement, comments were made by Members on the lower level of co-operation from some nearby authorities and it was suggested that an elected member attend the regional meetings where allocation of unmet need figures were discussed.  It was also suggested that the Council ask other authorities to take some of North West Leicestershire’s housing allocation.  The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager explained that North West Leicestershire had not declared any unmet housing need and therefore it could not be discussed with other authorities.

Each policy was then discussed in turn and several questions of clarity were sought and addressed by officers throughout the discussion.

Policy S1 – Future Housing and Economic Development Needs

Discussion was had on the possible extension of the local plan period, and it was explained that further work would be undertaken in due course on the employment requirements following the very recent national changes.

A suggestion was made to separate industrial development and warehousing.  The Principal Planning Policy Officer explained the practicality of combining the two in planning terms due to the similar nature.  It was also noted that combining them gave more flexibility, as separation could lead to the need to allocate more land to ensure numbers.

Following a discussion on the Freeport site it was confirmed that planning requirements still applied, and planning infrastructure would be needed if demonstrated it was required.  It was noted that only if the Development Consent Order was granted would the site become part of the district supply numbers.

Policy S2 – Settlement Hierarchy

Officers corrected an error in the report at the appendix on page 74 of the agenda pack, the missing figure in relation to the two Kegworth sites was 251 dwellings.

Some concern was raised in the consultation that although there was the ability for settlements to move up categories if improvements were made in the area, there was not the ability to move down if the category disappeared.  The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager explained that in these circumstances the settlement would be classed as a local needs settlement and therefore development would be discouraged. 

Policy S5 – Residential Development in the Countryside

Concerns were raised about self builds in rural areas and it was asked if it should be included in the policy.  The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager explained that the policy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11