Decision details

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

Members were provided with an update on the Government’s ongoing programme of planning reforms, further amendments to national policy on affordable housing contributions and future proposals for further reforms.

Particular reference was made to revisions to the National Planning Practice Guidance in respect of small scale affordable housing contributions and the successful challenge in the High Court which had judged that the Government had acted inappropriately by introducing changes in the form of a Ministerial Statement.

In the circumstances the amendment to the Borough Council’s adopted Policy CP17 in the Local Development Framework, agreed by Cabinet on 24 March, to adopt a new threshold of 5 dwellings for the securing of affordable housing contributions for proposed developments in the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty only should also be reversed. 

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation resolved that:

(1)              the content of the report be noted; and

(2)             Policy CP17, as adopted in the Tonbridge and Malling Local Development Framework Core Strategy (September 2007) be reinstated.