Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The Portfolio Holder is asked to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2014 as a correct record.

The Planning Portfolio Holder signed, as a correct record, the minutes of he meeting held on 18 November 2014.

The Planning Portfolio Holder approved

1.    the introduction of a one-off meeting service in addition to the existing service;

2.    cessation of the existing free written permitted development advice service with the retention of the Planning Duty Officer service to provide up to 15 minutes of free verbal advice; and

3.    Implementation of the above changes from 1 April 2015.

The Planning Portfolio Holder endorsed the increase in fees and recommends that Cabinet approves the increase in fees at its next meeting on 12 February 2015 to be introduced on 1 April 2015 as the new fees are likely to generate an annual increase in income of more than £50,000.

The Planning Portfolio Holder considered a report reviewing the current processes and associated fees for providing pre-application advice.

The Team Leader (East) summarised the report and highlighted a number of key elements.

The Portfolio Holder welcomed agents’ increasingly positive reaction to the service.

Those present discussed how the Service could develop so as to embrace highways, Planning Performance Agreements, and Management Plans. It must remain effective. The Head of New Communities summarised the steps being taken to balance the interests of Agents and Parish Councils. The Portfolio Holder said that they should always be encouraged to speak with each other as this should help reduce any suspicion and misunderstanding.

The Planning Portfolio Holder approved

1.    the introduction of a one-off meeting service in addition to the existing service;

2.    cessation of the existing free written permitted development advice service with the retention of the Planning Duty Officer service to provide up to 15 minutes of free verbal advice; and

3.    Implementation of the above changes from 1 April 2015, with a six-month review taking place at the Portfolio Holder meeting scheduled for 10 November 2015.

The Planning Portfolio Holder endorsed the increase in fees and recommends that Cabinet approves the increase in fees at its next meeting on 12 February 2015 to be introduced on 1 April 2015 as the new fees are likely to generate an annual increase in income of more than £50,000.

The Planning Portfolio Holder approved the designation of the Gamlingay Neighbourhood Area. 

The Planning Portfolio Holder considered a report relating to Gamlingay Parish Council’s application to designate the parish of Gamlingay as a Neighbourhood Area.

The Senior Planning Policy Officer clarified the boundary of the proposed Neighbouhood Area.

The Planning Portfolio Holder approved the designation of the Gamlingay Neighbourhood Area. 

The Planning Portfolio Holder endorsed the following response:

“‘South Cambridgeshire District Council has no objections to the proposals in the Issues and Options Consultation. Uttlesford District Council are commended for planning to meet the needs of travellers. However, further clarification is needed as to how wider needs identified in the Essex GTAA, such as for transit provision, will be met in Essex, if this is not in Uttlesford.

The South Cambridgeshire Submission Local Plan, submitted to the Secretary of State in March 2014, identifies a target of 85 Gypsy and Traveller pitches between 2011 and 2031. This reflects the Cambridge SubRegion GTANA 2011 (as amended 2012). The Council has granted planning permissions which meet this figure, such that no allocations are proposed in the Local Plan, although it indicates that opportunities will be sought to deliver sites through new communities. The Local Plan has been subject to objections which consider that the target should be higher, and this will be tested at the Examination. Several planning application appeal inspectors have also indicated that they consider there remains an outstanding need.

Under the Duty to Cooperate, should needs arise in the future that cannot be met appropriately in South Cambridgeshire, the Council may seek collaboration with surrounding areas, as indicated in the NPPF, Planning for Travellers and the Duty to Cooperate.’

The Planning Portfolio Holder considered a report seeking his agreement to the proposed response to Uttlesford District Council’s Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation.

In particular, he welcomed the Duty to Cooperate measures outline in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).  Should needs arise in the future that could not be met appropriately in South Cambridgeshire, South Cambridgeshire District Council would be able to seek collaboration with surrounding areas, as indicated in the NPPF.

The Planning Portfolio Holder endorsed the following response:

“‘South Cambridgeshire District Council has no objections to the proposals in the Issues and Options Consultation. Uttlesford District Council are commended for planning to meet the needs of travellers. However, further clarification is needed as to how wider needs identified in the Essex GTAA, such as for transit provision, will be met in Essex, if this is not in Uttlesford.

The South Cambridgeshire Submission Local Plan, submitted to the Secretary of State in March 2014, identifies a target of 85 Gypsy and Traveller pitches between 2011 and 2031. This reflects the Cambridge SubRegion GTANA 2011 (as amended 2012). The Council has granted planning permissions which meet this figure, such that no allocations are proposed in the Local Plan, although it indicates that opportunities will be sought to deliver sites through new communities. The Local Plan has been subject to objections which consider that the target should be higher, and this will be tested at the Examination. Several planning application appeal inspectors have also indicated that they consider there remains an outstanding need.

Under the Duty to Cooperate, should needs arise in the future that cannot be met appropriately in South Cambridgeshire, the Council may seek collaboration with surrounding areas, as indicated in the NPPF, Planning for Travellers and the Duty to Cooperate.’

The Planning Portfolio Holder received and noted a report detailing Planning, Building Control, Enforcement and Appeals Performance information for Quarter 3 (October - December 2014).

The Interim Development Control Manager concluded that performance was improving.

Those present discussed how future statistics should be presented. The Portfolio Holder said that the figures should be reported in as clear and simple a format as possible. Lessons might be learnt from how other local authorities presented information.

With the addition of reviewing the Pre-Applicarion Advice Service in November 2015, the Work Programme would be updated as soon as possible.

Tuesday 10 March 2015 at 10.00am

Those present noted that the next Planning Portfolio Holder meeting would take place on Tuesday 10 March 2015, starting at 10.00am