Issue - meetings

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

The report provided an update on the Government’s recent and on-going planning reforms and sought a decision in relation to the negotiation of Affordable Housing contributions.

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

(1)         a threshold of 5 dwelling units for the securing of affordable housing contributions for proposed developments in the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty be endorsed; and

(2)         the response to the DCLG consultation (Stepping onto the Property Ladder) regarding proposals for a new national starter home ‘exception site’ policy, as set out in Annex 1 to the report, be endorsed.

Reasons:  As set out in the report submitted to the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 10 March 2015

Decision Notice D150031MEM

The Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided Members with an update on the Government’s recent and on-going planning reforms and sought a decision in relation to the negotiation of Affordable Housing contributions.

It was reported that contributions for affordable housing could no longer be sought from developments of 10 units or less.  However, in designated rural areas (as defined by Section 157 of the Housing Act 1985) Local Planning Authorities had the discretion to use a lower threshold of 5 units or less.  The only such designated rural areas in Tonbridge and Malling were the two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the north/north west of the Borough and an area south of the Tonbridge bypass.

The consultation ‘Stepping onto the Property Ladder’ set out Government proposals for a new national starter homes ‘exception site’ policy to enable starter homes to be built on under-used or unviable brownfield sites that were not currently identified for housing.  An officer led response to the consultation was attached as Annex 1 to the report.

Reference was made to the Community Right to Build, which was reaching the end of its parliamentary process and was likely to be introduced later in the year.  This initiative entitled prospective custom build builders to apply to their Local Planning Authority for a suitable plot of land on which to build or commission their own home. It also required Local Planning Authorities to identify and make provision for local demand within Local Plans.

In addition, reference was made to further alterations to the London Plan, which had been formally adopted and included an increase of London’s annual housing target.  It was also noted that the Capital faced an annual shortfall of approximately 6,000 homes, which could have implications for neighbouring authorities in the South East with regard to the duty to co-operate.

RECOMMENDED: That:

(1)         a threshold of 5 dwelling units for the securing of affordable housing contributions for proposed developments in the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty be endorsed; and

(2)         the response to the DCLG consultation (Stepping onto the Property Ladder) regarding proposals for a new national starter home ‘exception site’ policy, as set out in Annex 1 to the report, be endorsed.