Agenda item

The report of the Interim Planning Policy Team Manager.

The planning policy officers presented the report, going through each policy in turn.

Policy H9 – Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople

During discussion, members expressed support for the policy. It was noted, however, that there were no current provisions or transit policies in place, and members questioned the legal implications if a traveller site was proposed prior to the adoption of the Local Plan.

The Interim Planning Policy Team Manager confirmed that, in the event this happened, the site would have been judged on its own merits and added that how the site was dealt with had the potential to influence and shape emerging policies as part of the Regulation 19 consultation.

Policy Ec1 – Economic Strategy

There were no comments from members.

Policy IFx – Long-Term Management of Assets and Stewardship

Members expressed support for the policy with the amendment as set out in the additional papers, and planning policy officers addressed several questions of clarity. With reference to paragraph 3 of the policy, it was asked whether the appropriate financial contributions would have been secured. The Interim Planning Policy Team Manager responded that they would be considering how the details of funding can be better assessed in future.

A discussion followed which focused on Section 106 agreements. Members recalled instances where residents had been charged before the Section 106 agreement had been completed. Members were advised that residents were not expected to pay until public open space was at a satisfactory standard to be transferred to a management company, and the Section 106 agreement was there to secure provisions.

The Legal Advisor added that, while there was a Section 106 agreement between the developer and the purchaser, there was also a separate contract between the parties, and it was up to solicitors to ensure the purchaser was fully aware of the development and the standard of the land, and that this therefore was not the Council’s responsibility.

Policy H5 – Affordable Housing

During discussion, members were supportive of the policy, and several questions of clarity were addressed by the planning policy officers.

Members were concerned as to why officers had waited for the outcome of the viability assessment to set out the requirement figures associated with affordable housing. The Principal Planning Policy Officer acknowledged these concerns, and noted that they could have included provisional figures, but stressed that the reason the viability work had come at a late stage was because it had to test all the relevant policy requirements in the Local Plan and the Plan needed to be substantially finished for this to be done.

The recommendations including the amendment to Policy IFx as set out in the additional papers were moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor M Ball and

RESOLVED THAT:

(I)       Subject to the findings of the Whole Plan Viability Assessment, Policy H9: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople as amended at Appendix A (III) of this report, be included in the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan.

(II)     The comments received in respect of Policy Ec1 – Economic Strategy in Appendix C of the report be noted.

(III)    Policy Ec1 – Economic Strategy in Appendix C of this report be included in the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan.

(IV)  The proposed policy for the management of assets and stewardship as set out in Appendix D of the report be included in the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan.

(V)    The comments received in respect of Policy H5 – Affordable Housing as summarised in Appendix E of the report be noted.

(VI)  Subject to and informed by the findings of the Whole Plan Viability Assessment, Policy H5 – Affordable Housing at Appendix E of the report be included in the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan.

Prior to the next item, the Legal Advisor declared that, as they worked for Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, he would be leaving the meeting but could be called in if members required specific legal advice.