Agenda item

Report of the Director of Services

The Director of Services presented the report to Members. He reminded Members that they had considered a report on the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) at the last meeting. He advised Members that at a meeting of the Members Advisory Group (MAG) in July it was proposed that a Memorandum of Understanding be agreed in respect of the amount and distribution of housing across the Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area (HMA), as there was a consensus that up until 2031 there would be no need for any authority to redistribute. He went on to inform Members that the report identified risks should the SHMA be challenged. He added that one authority had already been challenged and that a second would be examined later in the year. He advised Members that the Packington Road appellant would be presenting evidence against the SHMA, and that this would be monitored closely. He stated that the advice that the Authority had received remained the most up to date and that would be used in creating the plan and making planning decisions.

Councillor S Sheahan expressed his concern over the alternative SHMA and moved to incorporate an additional recommendation that the Advisory Committee reaffirms support to the SHMA endorsed by the MAG on the 17 July. This was seconded by Councillor J Legrys.

Councillor C Large asked if there were any examples of previous figures being successfully contested.

The Planning Policy Team Manager advised Members that some Local Plans had fallen down on the issue of housing numbers where they had not demonstrated to an Inspector’s satisfaction that the evidence was robust. However, he was not aware of any instances where an alternative SHMA had been produced and supported.

Councillor J Legrys stated that he was thankful that the GL Hearn work had been done and that this was recognised. He expressed concerns over the risk that the Council had taken with a countywide approach as the district would be affected if issues were to arise. He added that he would like to see the Memorandum of Understanding and it would be wrong if the Committee did not see it, and that he was hopeful that it would be signed. He stated that he was confident that the SHMA would be challenged and that Members needed to take into account that the authority would be working on a much lower figure. He asked officers to emphasise which SHMA they were talking about.

The Director of Services reminded Members that this did not relate to just North West Leicestershire, but to the whole of the market area.

Councillor J Legrys acknowledged the statement, but expressed concerns that there was a possible risk at County level, as they could challenge their own figures.     

Councillor S Sheahan stated  that the alternative SHMA could  only be  a critique and that it should be reported as such and that greater weight should be given to the  GL Hearn figures.

Councillor J Legrys stated that it was unfortunate to have an alternative SHMA and that the Advisory Committee should focus on the GL Hearn figures, if that was approved policy.

The Legal Advisor informed Members that it was inaccurate to describe the alternative SHMA as such.

Councillor D De Lacy supported the recommendation as there was a big difference between the two and that at this stage the Council’s position should be that of the GL Hearn and that the agreement should be signed. He added that the position should have cross party support to ensure that doubts weren’t raised over the supply.  

Councillor J Bridges supported the additional recommendation

It was moved by Councillor S Sheahan, seconded by Councillor J Legrys and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Advisory Committee notes;

1.    The proposal to agree a Memorandum of Understanding in respect of the amount and distribution of housing.

2.    The fact that an alternative SHMA had been produced;

And reaffirms support to the SMHA that was endorsed at the Members Advisory Group on the 17 July 2014.