Decision Taken By: CABINET
Decision No: D110141CAB
Date: 12th October 2011
Decision(s) and Reason(s)
National Planning Policy Framework - Consultation
Minutes
Details were given of a Government consultation on a Draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which consolidated 1,000 pages of existing policy and guidance into a document of just over 50 pages. It was noted that this major piece of new and revised planning policy would have significant implications for local planning authorities and local communities. The report examined the proposals in the document and recommended a response for submission.
In view of the 17 October 2011 deadline for response to the consultation, the urgency provisions under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15(i) were invoked so that the decision was not subject to call-in.
The Cabinet thanked the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure and the Chief Planner (Policy) for their work in preparing the report.
The Cabinet resolved that:
1) a copy of the report and the detailed response set out in Annex B thereto, as enhanced by the following points, be sent to the Secretary of State as the Council's views on the National Planning Policy Framework:
• local authorities with an adopted Local Development Framework should have a much lower test to obtain a Certificate of Conformity, if indeed such a process is considered necessary at all;
• the proposals should have greater regard to the development of agriculture as an important part of the local economy in rural areas;
• greater recognition be given to the overall importance of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty;
• the timing of referenda in respect of Neighbourhood Development Plans be reviewed with the emphasis being on the commencement of the process;
• the consultative responses of the following bodies be endorsed subject to resolution of any technical issues by the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure: the Kent Forum, the Kent AONB Forum and the Local Enterprise Partnership Rural Workstream;
2) the final response be agreed in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation;
3) copies of the report and detailed response be sent directly to the Minister for Planning, the two local Members of Parliament, the District Councils Network and the Local Enterprise Partnership secretariat; and
4) in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15(i) and with the agreement of the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Leader of the Opposition, the normal call-in procedure be set aside to allow the response to be submitted by the return deadline of 17 October 2011.
Reasons: As set out in the report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure.
Signed Chief Executive: D Hughes
Date of Publication: 14 October 2011
This decision is not subject to call-in since in the opinion of the Cabinet it is urgent and any delay would seriously prejudice the Council's or the public's interest. (Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15(i)).