Purpose

To provide the Executive Member with an
overview of the proposals contained with the Government’s proposed reforms to the
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other proposed changes to the
planning system.

 

The
Government is clear in its consultation on the proposed changes, that building
substantially more homes is a national priority to meet housing need and to
help tackle housing affordability. The proposed reforms seek to substantially
increase the number of houses built across the country.

One
of the most substantial changes proposed within the NPPF is how housing need is
calculated. The calculation of housing need is proposed to change from the
current position of addressing demographic and societal trends, to one which
primarily apportions a nationally derived housing target between local
authorities. The proposed approach has very limited regard to local factors,
nor allows for much flexibility in the minimum number of houses which must be
planned for.

The
Government is also proposing that a five-year housing land supply must be
demonstrated on an annual basis, even where local authorities have an
up-to-date adopted local plan. Where authorities are unable to demonstrate a
five-year housing land supply, they will be subject to the presumption in
favour of sustainable development. This will increase the likelihood of
planning permission being granted for new houses outside settlement boundaries.

The
proposed changes to the NPPF, also relate to the delivery of affordable
housing, brownfield development, building infrastructure to grow the economy
and supporting green energy and the environment. Many of the proposed changes
relating to these areas appear acceptable in principle.

The
Government is also inviting views on increasing the application fees for
householder planning applications, increasing other planning application fees,
introducing fees for applications where there are currently no charges and
asking whether local authorities should be allowed to set some, or all,
planning application fees locally. These proposals are supported.

The
accompanying briefing paper considers the impact of the changes from the
perspective of Fareham in its South Hampshire context.

This
report was considered by the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel on the 18
September and any matters raised by the Panel have been provided to the
Executive Member to consider as part of their decision making.

The consultation on the proposed changes to
the NPPF closes on 24 September.

Decision

RESOLVED that
the Executive Member for Planning and Development: -

 

a)   
advised that the response at Appendix A and the
Minutes of the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel, together with relevant comments
received directly from Members, fully reflects the views of the Council;

 

b)   
notes that Officers will submit the proposed
response at Appendix A, with the additional amendments, by no later than the 24
September; and

 

c)   
agrees that a letter be sent from the
Council to the Deputy Prime Minister setting out the Council’s key observations
on the proposed changes to the NPPF.