Issue - meetings

The recent consultation by the Government on “Changes to the planning system” received over 2,300 responses, including responses from the cross-party Local Government Association and our own Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service.

The proposed reforms mean that in future local voice in planning will happen at the Local Plan making stage. The responses expressed strong concerns that this means that communities will not be able to influence individual applications in the same way as they do now which could further alienate communities.

Section 106 agreements are the primary route through which council housing is currently delivered. The proposed new Infrastructure Levy lacks detail as to how it will maintain existing levels of funding for affordable housing especially if threshold is raised to 40/50 for onsite requirement. It would also bypass Parish Councils and communities.

Last month the House of Commons with cross party support from MPs called on the Government to protect residents’ rights to object to individual planning applications in their own neighbourhood area if the area is zoned for growth or renewal.

This Council

• believes planning works best when local communities are empowered to work together with developers to shape local areas and deliver new homes that are affordable to live in;

• asks the Leader of the Council to call on the Government to protect the right of communities to have a voice on individual planning applications; and to ensure that any changes to the S106 system lead to an increase in the supply of affordable housing.

Council Agreed the following motion:

This Council

• believes planning works best when local communities are empowered to work together with developers to shape local areas and deliver new homes that are affordable to live in;

• asks the Leader of the Council to call on the Government to protect the right of communities to have a voice on individual planning applications; and to ensure that any changes to the S106 system lead to an increase in the supply of affordable housing.

Councillor Pippa Heylings proposed and Councillor Dr Tumi Hawkins seconded the following motion:

The recent consultation by the Government on “Changes to the planning system” received over 2,300 responses, including responses from the cross-party Local Government Association and our own Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service.

The proposed reforms mean that in future local voice in planning will happen at the Local Plan making stage. The responses expressed strong concerns that this means that communities will not be able to influence individual applications in the same way as they do now which could further alienate communities.

Section 106 agreements are the primary route through which council housing is currently delivered. The proposed new Infrastructure Levy lacks detail as to how it will maintain existing levels of funding for affordable housing especially if threshold is raised to 40/50 for onsite requirement. It would also bypass Parish Councils and communities.

Last month the House of Commons with cross party support from MPs called on the Government to protect residents’ rights to object to individual planning applications in their own neighbourhood area if the area is zoned for growth or renewal.

This Council

• believes planning works best when local communities are empowered to work together with developers to shape local areas and deliver new homes that are affordable to live in;

• asks the Leader of the Council to call on the Government to protect the right of communities to have a voice on individual planning applications; and to ensure that any changes to the S106 system lead to an increase in the supply of affordable housing.

Councillor Heather Williams proposed that the words “work together with developers” be removed, as planning worked best when local communities were empowered and their views were heard by the local planning authority. The proposed amendment was seconded by Councillor Deborah Roberts, who supported most of the motion, but was concerned that it empowered developers instead of local residents.

Councillor Pippa Heylings explained that whilst she understood their concerns, she could not accept the amendment, as the focus of the motion was to prevent the Government’s reforms from taking power away from residents and local authorities in their dealings with developers. The amendment could confuse the main point of the motion.

Councillor Nick Wright expressed his alarm at the desire to work with developers, as they were supportive of the Government reforms and answered only to shareholder and to profits. He explained that only a tiny percentage of applications were decided by councillors and to pledge to work with developers would further dilute the influence of our communities in the decision making process.

Councillor Dr Aidan Van de Weyer suggested that those supporting the amendment misunderstood the need to empower communities in their discussions with developers in the planning process. To agree the amendment would reduce the weight of the original motion.

Councillor Dr Richard Williams stated that the developers had no incentive to talk to communities and he supported the amendment which was in keeping with the original  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14