Agenda item

Report HPR2021/056

National planning policy requires Local Planning Authorities to identify a supply of housing to provide a minimum of five years’ worth of housing against their housing target. Bromley’s current five-year housing land supply (FYHLS) position was agreed by the Development Control Committee in September 2020. The report set out an updated housing trajectory, split into projections for years 1-5 (the FYHLS, covering 01/04/2021-31/03/2026), years 6-10 and years 11-15.  The report concluded that the Council could not demonstrate a FYHLS, although the supply position had improved since publication of the last FYHLS position. Where a minimum of five years housing supply could not be demonstrated, the presumption in favour of sustainable development (set out in paragraph 11 of the NPPF) was triggered.

In opening the discussion, the Chairman confirmed that the Council was now able to demonstrate 3.99 years and the figure was heading in the right direction but still fell short of the 5-year supply.  Until such time as this figure was reached there would remain a presumption in favour of sustainable development.

Members expressed concern that the current position left the Council vulnerable in terms of fighting appeals relating to large inappropriate developments.

The Vice-Chairman suggested that the Committee should receive an update every six months until a five-year housing land supply could be demonstrated.  The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy confirmed that six-monthly updates would be possible, although completions were derived from an annual survey so any mid-year update would not provide the full picture.

In response to a question concerning practical measures that could be taken to improve the trajectory, the Head of Planning Policy and Strategy confirmed that there were a number of sites in the pipeline that could come forward to bridge the gap. However, the trajectory was based on sites with planning permission. There was a need to meet the definition of ‘deliverable’ and that essentially meant planning permission was required to include a site in the five year housing land supply. 

In response to a question about using past over-supply of housing to compensate for future under-supply, the Head of Planning Policy and Strategy noted that there was no provision in national planning policy to factor in over- supply in previous years. Some Boroughs had unsuccessfully attempted to put forward that argument.

A Member read out the definition of Sustainable Development which was: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It was noted that future generations with families were likely to want houses with gardens and space to grow. Without offering this provision, the definition of sustainable development would not be met. It was suggested that the housing targets were arbitrary and unless there was some lobbying of Central Government, the resources available to future generations would be greatly diminished.  It was recognised that the issue was not necessarily one of planning and that it was likely that political lobbying would be required. However, the report before the Committee highlighted the need for urgent action to be taken.

Cllr Fawthrop suggested that Crystal Palace Park ought to be available for housing development and urged fellow Committee Members to agree that this should be formally investigated, in particular, whether this could occur within the existing Crystal Palace Act.

Cllr Bear proposed that the Committee receive an update on the Bromley Housing Trajectory every six months.  The motion was seconded by Cllr Terry, put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The Bromley Housing Trajectory 2021 provided at Appendix 1 of the report, including the updated five-year housing land supply position for the period 01/04/2021-31/03/2026, be agreed.
2. The Committee receive an update on the Bromley Housing Trajectory every six months.