Issue - meetings

The Planning Portfolio Holder endorsed the approach set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

This decision was first published on Tuesday 8 September and so the deadline for call-in is Tuesday 15 September. If not called-in this decision can be implemented on Wednesday 16 September.

The Planning Portfolio Holder endorsed the approach set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

The Planning Portfolio Holder considered a report about recent advice received regarding the Council’s approach to planning applications where a lack of a five year supply of housing land is a material consideration.

The Interim Development Control Manager reminded the Portfolio Holder and those present that officers had asked the Local Plan Examination planning inspectors to report upon the principle of relying on a joint housing trajectory for South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council. No such report had yet been received. It was noted that Appeal Inspectors could give weight to the lack of a five-year supply of housing land as a material planning consideration. The Interim Development Control Manager commented that the Council had received invaluable advice from the Planning Officers Society, and referred specifically to paragraphs 19 to 24 in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Councillor David Bard asked whether, if endorsed by the Local Plan Examination Inspectors, the Joint Trajectory would become operational with immediate effect, or only upon adoption of the Local Plan itself. The Interim Development Control Manager said the Joint Trajectory would become effective immediately.

Councillor Robin Page regretted the absence of any assurance in the Local Plan regarding open space, food security, the environment or Green Belt.

The Planning Portfolio Holder endorsed the approach set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

The Northstowe and New Communities Portfolio Holder agreed that the appropriate method of calculating 5-year housing land supply pending the completion of the Local Development Framework review is against the draft East of England Plan >2031 (the review of the East of England Plan 2008 to 2031) housing target (Option 1), without making up any residual shortfall against the Core Strategy target for the period to 2016, and that this be a material consideration for planning decisions pending the completion of the Local Plan review.

This decision was published on Wednesday 28 December 2011. Democratic Services must be notified of any call-in by 5pm on Wednesday 4 January 2012. If not called-in, the decision may be implemented on Thursday 5 January 2012.

Decision:

The Northstowe and New Communities Portfolio Holder agreed that the appropriate method of calculating 5-year housing land supply pending the completion of the Local Development Framework review is against the draft East of England Plan >2031 (the review of the East of England Plan 2008 to 2031) housing target (Option 1), without making up any residual shortfall against the Core Strategy target for the period to 2016, and that this be a material consideration for planning decisions pending the completion of the Local Plan review.

Democratic Services Section must be notified of any call in by Wednesday 7 December 2011 at 5 pm. All decisions not called in by this date may be implemented on Thursday 8 December 2011.

The Northstowe and New Communities Portfolio Holder agreed that the appropriate method of calculating 5-year housing land supply pending the completion of the Local Development Framework review is against the draft East of England Plan >2031 (the review of the East of England Plan 2008 to 2031) housing target (Option 1), without making up any residual shortfall against the Core Strategy target for the period to 2016, and that this be a material consideration for planning decisions pending the completion of the Local Plan review.

The Northstowe and New Communities Portfolio Holder considered a report on the Council's response to a technical shortfall in 5-year housing land supply.

Councillor Mike Mason congratulated officers on their well thought out approach.  It was important to have a clear idea of what is meant by the word ‘sustainable’ in this context.  New housing must be accompanied by new and lasting employment opportunities.

The Northstowe and New Communities Portfolio Holder agreed that the appropriate method of calculating 5-year housing land supply pending the completion of the Local Development Framework review is against the draft East of England Plan >2031 (the review of the East of England Plan 2008 to 2031) housing target (Option 1), without making up any residual shortfall against the Core Strategy target for the period to 2016, and that this be a material consideration for planning decisions pending the completion of the Local Plan review.