Purpose

To undertake a focussed and interim update of
the current Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document
2015 as previously amended in 2019 and 2023. 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. Following consultation minor changes have
been made. The report seeks approval of the interim updates to the
SPD for adoption.

Decision

(1) 
To adopt the interim
update draft Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document,
as amended, following consultation (as set out in Appendix 1 of the
report).
 
(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 the adoption and publication
of the interim update Planning Obligations.

Reasons for the decision

The proposed amendments to the Supplementary
Planning Document (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
and implementation issues.

Alternative options considered

There is no other legislative mechanism to
adopt SPDs and to not adopt the SPD would leave standing policy
requirements absent of additional and updated detail. The SPD
mainly provides guidance on development plan policy requirements
and national policy and does not create policy.