Issue - meetings

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

The report summarised the main points arising from the recently published Housing White Paper ‘Fixing Our Broken Housing Market’ and highlighted those matters which might potentially have significant implications for the Local Plan and housing delivery through the planning system generally.  The report also set out comments that could form the basis for a formal response to the Government which could be made up to 2 May 2017.

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

(1)     the summary of the Housing White Paper be noted; and

(2)     the comments in respect of the key points set out at paragraph 1.3 of the report form the basis of a response to Government by the consultation deadline of 2 May 2017.

Decision Notice D170028MEM

The report summarised the main points arising from the recently published Housing White Paper ‘Fixing Our Broken Housing Market’ and highlighted those matters which might potentially have significant implications for the Local Plan and housing delivery through the planning system generally.  The report also set out comments that could form the basis for a formal response to the Government which could be made up to 2 May 2017.

Particular reference was made to a number of examples representing those actions and proposals with potentially the most significant impacts on the Local Plan and these were summarised in paragraphs 1.3.4 to 1.3.47 of the report.  A full list of the proposals was attached at Annex 1 for information.

The Cabinet Member for Housing recognised that there remained a lot of detail to be understood and clarified, but expressed concerns regarding the deliverability of real affordable housing and the lack of provision for older people. 

Members also expressed a number of concerns around the lack of infrastructure funding, which was not addressed as part of the Housing White Paper; the rate of development and potential implications for the Green Belt; insufficient provision of infrastructure for new developments; the increasing and ongoing impact on roads leading to regular congestion and proposals to introduce new standardised methodology to identify housing need, which had potential impacts for the Local Plan going forward.  In addition, Members felt that the circumstances prevalent to Kent were not fully recognised as local housing allowance was set at a level that was insufficient to cover housing costs.  Private rent in the area was also too high for the majority of local people to afford and affordable rented accommodation at 80% of market value was equally inaccessible for many households.

However, Members welcomed the proposed changes to planning fees which meant that any additional income raised could be reinvested in planning services.

RECOMMENDED: That

(1)     the summary of the Housing White Paper be noted; and

(2)    the comments in respect of the key points set out at paragraph 1.3 of the report form the basis of a response to Government by the consultation deadline of 2 May 2017.