Issue - meetings

Report DRR 16/024

Agreement was sought on the Council’s response to the Government’s consultation on changes made to the National Planning Policy Framework in order to increase the delivery of housing.  These changes would impact on planning decisions and on local policy being developed in the emerging Local Plan.

Concern was raised in regard to the inclusion of starter homes and the impact this would have on housing areas, together with the fact that they would be exempt from CIL charges.  Starter homes would also become part of the normal housing stock after a five year period.  Members agreed that the word “potentially” be deleted from the Council’s suggested response set out at paragraph 3.47 on page 115 of the report.

Referring to the delivery of housing on land allocated in plans, Councillor Fawthrop suggested that the Government be asked what it was doing to encourage builders to build.

In regard to supporting housing development on brownfield land and GB land (page 111), it was agreed that certain scenarios which gave rise to Member concerns be specified in the Council’s response. 

Councillor Bance considered that some brownfield sites in Bromley could be developed and the Council’s response did nothing to meet NPPF in regard to attaining housing targets.

It was suggested that options for rebalancing housing development across the country, could be discussed as a separate issue at a future meeting of the DCC.

RESOLVED that, subject to the variations mentioned above, the suggested responses set out in the report, form the basis of the Council’s response to the NPPF consultation.