Issue - meetings

This report summarises the key changes proposed in the recent consultations for a revised National Planning Policy Framework and seeks endorsement of the response returned by the deadline of 10th May 2018 appended to this report.

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

The key changes proposed in the recent consultations for a revised National Planning Policy Framework were summarised and endorsement of the response returned by the deadline of 10 May 2018 (attached as Annex 1 to the report) was sought.

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

The content of the report be noted and Annex 1 be endorsed as the Borough Council’s formal response to the consultation.

[In accordance with Paragraph 2 Annex 1 of the Executive Procedure Rules the Leader nominated the Cabinet Member for Housing to take this decision in the absence of the Cabinet portfolio holder (Strategic Planning and Infrastructure).]

Decision Notice:  D180041MEM

The key changes proposed in the recent consultations for a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) were summarised and endorsement of the response returned by the deadline of 10 May 2018 (attached as Annex 1 to the report) was sought.

Particular reference was made to the introduction of a transitional period for the implementation of the majority of the new NPPF.   This enabled those Local Planning Authorities which were able to submit a Local Plan to the Secretary of State within six months of final publication to rely on their own housing need assessments (as set out in Annex 1 to the draft NPPF). It was anticipated that Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council would be able to submit its Local Plan in December and utilise this opportunity.

The Borough Council had also raised concerns in relation to the standardised methodology for calculating housing need, and these were set out in response to question 11, as there appeared to be no significant change to the way this was applied.  It was noted that unless there was any further amendment to the methodology the anticipated uplift in housing need would have to be addressed when the Local Plan was reviewed within five years of adoption.

RECOMMENDED:  That the content of the report be noted and Annex 1 be endorsed as the Borough Council’s formal response to the consultation.