Issue - meetings

Members considered the Council’s response to the Planning for the Future Government White Paper.  In proposing the recommendations detailed in the report, Members thanked Officers for their hard work in reviewing and responding to the proposals detailed in the white paper.

During consideration of this item the following matters were discussed:

·                Information had been shared with Members about the content of the white paper at a recent meeting of the Planning Advisory Panel (PAP).

·                Whilst the deadline had passed for feedback in the white paper consultation process, Members had been assured that they could submit comments after this point.

·                Some of the proposals in the white paper would help to make the local planning process more efficient and streamlined.

·                Concerns were raised that other proposals in the white paper would result in the centralisation of the planning system, removing power from the local level.

·                The role of local Councils in the existing planning system was discussed and it was noted that on occasion, whilst the Council might have granted planning permission, the developer chose not to act immediately and this could cause delays.

·                In future Local Plans would take into account three zonings; growth areas, renewal areas and protected areas.  Members queried how decisions would be made about classifying land in accordance with these zones and who would make the decision.

·                The proposals, should they be agreed, would remove the right for the public to be heard.  The Council’s response was suggesting that this should remain in place.

·                The proposals would raise the threshold for affordable housing to be included in applications, from developments of 11 or more houses to those of 40 or 50 houses.

·                Concerns were raised that, should these proposals in relation to affordable housing be incorporated into legislation, this could result in a reduction in social housing.

·                Members noted that the organisation Shelter had recently reported that an increase in demand for Council houses was anticipated as a result of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

·                The Council was in the process of building Council houses which would help to meet the needs of Redditch residents.

·                There was no guarantee that all of the changes proposed in the Government White Paper would be incorporated into legislative changes.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on Tuesday, 27^th October 2020 be received and all recommendations adopted.