An oral presentation will be given, followed by discussion.
Minutes:
The Planning Policy Manager reported that the Government’s White Paper consultation on planning reforms had set out its desire to deliver 300,000 – 330,000 new dwellings per year, which would increase the number of dwellings to be delivered in North Norfolk to 730 per year. The Government had also indicated that there would be a further review to consider possible mitigation for constrained authorities, such as North Norfolk, but as this had not been published alongside the White Paper there was no indication as to whether or not the target would be reduced. The draft Local Plan could possibly deliver 550-560 dwellings per year, but it was 3000 dwellings short of the Government’s new target. The Planning Policy Manager considered that the higher number would not be deliverable without seriously risking the environment, with developments that were not supported by appropriate infrastructure.
The Government had accepted that those authorities with plans that were sufficiently advanced could rely on the existing methodology for a period of time. If the draft Plan could be submitted for examination within a year, it was possible that the transitional arrangements would apply. However, the Plan would be subject to review once it was through the examination process. Failure to submit within the timescale would oblige the Council to deliver the higher number which would mean starting the plan again and considering a different distribution strategy.
Councillor D Baker stated that there was a great deal of concern at the uplift in shire counties. He considered that the metric that had been used was incorrect and would take back the concerns in his capacity as MP. He considered that the overall aims and objectives were right, but considered that the majority of building should take place in metropolitan areas where a higher density could be achieved.
Councillor Mrs S Bütikofer stated that she was reassured by Councillor Baker’s position. There was a great deal of concern over the White Paper, and although there was agreement that planning needed to change and improve, it was important that districts such as North Norfolk should not be disadvantaged.
The Chairman expressed concern at the effect of the new methodology and was not convinced that the new build targets were justified as there was no information as to how the figure had been calculated and why it had not been broken down into a regional basis. He asked if the new methodology would be mandatory or could be challenged.
The Planning Policy Manager stated that the Government would like to move towards a mandatory target and ensure that homes were delivered, but even if it became mandated in legislation there was scope for legal challenge on the basis of lack of evidence to support it. He supported the view that there was a need to address housing delivery, but there had to be a sensible balance. He considered that it was unlikely that there would be the capacity or market demand to deliver 730 dwellings per year in North Norfolk.
The Head of Planning stated that there was a great deal more to the White Paper than housing numbers. He outlined some of the changes that were proposed to the planning system. He stated that the last major revision was in 1990. There was a need for change and there were some good ideas in the White Paper. A Member workshop would be held later in the month which would allow more in depth consideration of the White Paper’s proposals and recommended responses to it.
Councillor N Dixon considered that focus should be on deliverability. He considered that there was insufficient capacity or skills to build at the required rate. If infrastructure was not in place it would not be possible to meet the required specifications, and there was a lack of matching employment opportunities alongside the new development. For those reasons, he considered that the White Paper was not the way forward for North Norfolk and that this authority should state its case clearly. He was concerned that developers would build where it was profitable to do so and not in the strategic locations where housing was required.
The Chairman considered that a national policy would not deliver a viable plan in North Norfolk. He considered that there was a need to resist several of the proposals in the White Paper that would have a perverse outcome for the District and needed careful debate and response.
Councillor S Bütikofer stated that she was most concerned that there was good Member engagement in the response, and requested that it should take place in a timely manner.