Issue - meetings

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

The report provided an update on the ongoing programme of Government Planning Reforms and summarised the proposals put forward since the last meeting of the Advisory Board.

In addition, endorsement was sought of a suggested response, attached as Annex 1 to the report, to a Department for Communities and Local Government consultation on proposed changes to national planning policy published in December.

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)             the response, attached as Annex 1 to the report, be endorsed as the Borough Council’s response to the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation on proposed changes to national planning policy.

Decision Notice D160006MEM

The report provided an update on the ongoing programme of Government Planning Reforms and summarised the proposals put forward since the last meeting of the Advisory Board.

In addition, endorsement was sought of a suggested response, attached as Annex 1 to the report, to a Department for Communities and Local Government consultation on proposed changes to national planning policy published in December.

Members noted that the consultation response deadline had been extended to 22 February 2016.

Reference was made to initial proposals for a pilot scheme to outsource planning applications to third parties.  At the present time there was limited detail available.

The Housing and Planning Bill also introduced a new requirement on Local Planning Authorities to compile and keep up to date a Register of Brownfield land.  Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council was one of 20 local authorities in the country invited to participate in a pilot scheme.  It was suggested that the invitation be accepted subject to further information.

Members expressed concern about the reduced prospects of maintaining levels of provision of affordable rented housing as a result of the Government’s current policy. It was reported that the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment Services would be writing to Tom Tugendhat MP and Tracey Crouch MP outlining these concerns.   

It was also suggested that once the Housing and Planning Bill had been passed a joint briefing between the Planning and Transportation and Housing and Environmental Services Advisory Boards would be beneficial. 

RECOMMENDED: That

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

(2)             the response, attached as Annex 1 to the report, be endorsed as the Borough Council’s response to the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation on proposed changes to national planning policy.