Purpose

The Planning Obligations Supplementary
Planning Document (SPD) sets out the approach to and information on
financial and other contributions to be sought from applicants for
planning permission through the use of planning obligations. These
contributions are required to mitigate the impacts of the proposed
development. The SPD was last updated in January 2023 to reflect
the Local Plan Partial Update. A series of further amendments are
now required to ensure contributions sought adequately mitigate a
range of impacts of development and these include updating
financial cost calculations. This report will seek approval of
draft amendments to the Planning Obligations SPD to be published
for consultation.

Decision

1) 
To issue the amended
draft Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document for
public consultation for statutory consultation under Regulation
12(b) of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England)
Regulations 2012.
 
2) 
To delegate Authority
to the Head of Planning to make any necessary editorial changes, in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing
and Sustainable Development, prior to consultation on the draft
Planning Obligations SPD.

Reasons for the decision

The proposed amendments to the SPD incorporate
updates to the education chapter including early years facilities,
SEND and home to school transport, a new chapter on primary health
facilities, minor updates to the affordable housing chapter to
reflect the revised NPPF to reflect changes in national policy and
more up to date information; and other minor update changes to
reflect indexation in the green infrastructure, tree replacement
and training and skills contributions. The report seeks approval of
the interim draft updates to the SPD for consultation.

Alternative options considered

None. The SPD mainly provides guidance on
development plan policy requirements and national policy and does
not create policy. It is seen as improper to do nothing since the
Planning Obligations SPD which supplements the Local Plan and
relates to the implementation of certain development plan policies,
for the use and development of land within its area, should be kept
up to date.