The Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel of Welwyn Hatfield Council discussed significant updates on biodiversity net gain (BNG) and the housing delivery test (HDT) action plan. The panel decided to recommend to the cabinet that the Welwyn Hatfield BNG guidance note should no longer be a material consideration in decision-making where a biodiversity net gain requirement applies. Additionally, the panel recommended the approval of the HDT action plan for publication.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

Matthew Wilson, the Planning Policy Manager, provided an update on the introduction of mandatory BNG and the Welwyn Hatfield guidance notes. BNG is now a mandatory requirement for qualifying development in England, superseding local policies such as Welwyn Hatfield's SADM 16. The national statutory framework and associated guidance now take precedence, rendering the local BNG guidance note unnecessary. The panel discussed the implications of this change, including the potential for local plans to set higher BNG percentages than the national 10%, provided they are justified and evidence-based.

Councillor Sunny raised several questions about the implementation and financial implications of BNG, to which Matthew Wilson responded that the burden falls on developers, not the local planning authority. The panel unanimously agreed to recommend that the Welwyn Hatfield BNG guidance note should no longer be considered in decision-making where BNG requirements apply.

For more details, see the CPPP ReportBNG UpdateJune 2024withAppendix.

Housing Delivery Test (HDT) Action Plan

Matthew Wilson also presented the HDT action plan for 2024. The HDT measures the delivery of housing against targets over a three-year period. Welwyn Hatfield delivered 65% of its target, necessitating an action plan to address under-delivery and improve future performance. Key actions include expediting planning applications for local plan housing sites, engaging with landowners and developers to understand delays, and implementing the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to streamline the process.

Councillor Jill inquired about the presumption in favour of sustainable development, to which Wilson explained that it factors the under-supply of homes into the planning decision-making process. Councillor Sunny raised concerns about the economic environment and its impact on housing delivery, while Councillor Kingsbury questioned how the council could encourage developers to expedite their projects.

The panel unanimously recommended the approval of the HDT action plan for publication.

For more details, see the CPPP HDTActionPlan2024Report and the CPP HDTActionPlan2024Appendix1ActionPlan.