Decision details

To approve the Memorandum of Understanding - Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory.

Matter for Decision

The Officer’s report set out the need for a Memorandum of Understanding between Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council. The Memorandum of Understanding states that, as part of the two Local Plan examinations, the housing trajectories for the two areas should be considered together as a joint trajectory for the purposes of housing supply, including a five year land supply.

Changes in circumstances since the submission of the Local Plans indicate that a Memorandum of Understanding between the Councils will demonstrate the soundness of the plans.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport

Approved the Memorandum of Understanding between Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council set out in Appendix 1 of the Officer’s report.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Planning Policy Manager. She referred to the meeting of Joint Strategic Transport and Spatial Planning Group 09:30 on 9 September 2014 where the Memorandum of Understanding was approved without amendment.

In response to Members’ questions the Planning Policy Manager said the following:

       i.          The Memorandum of Understanding would feed into the Local Plan examination process. South Cambridgeshire and the City Council housing trajectories were being considered together to show there was a five year housing supply. Any costs awarded against an individual council after a planning appeal would not be shared with the other council.

     ii.          The purpose of the South Cambridgeshire and the City Council Local Plans was to set out planning policies and demonstrate sufficient land supply to meet demand. The Councils were confident that they had made their cases but the Planning Inspector may take a different view.

   iii.          South Cambridgeshire Council had thought it had a five year housing supply, but discovered it did not when challenged through appeals. The Planning Policy Manager reiterated that South Cambridgeshire and the City Councils did have a five year housing supply when considered together.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor made the following remarks:

       i.          There was a countywide Memorandum of Co-operation in effect.

     ii.          This had been established before Local Plans were developed, but Local Plans built on the Memorandum of Co-operation.

   iii.          Each local authority agreed to take an allocation of housing and employment numbers.

   iv.          The Memorandum of Understanding worked in parallel with the Memorandum of Co-operation, both would be presented to the Planning Inspector at the Local Plan examination.

    v.          It was hoped the Planning Inspector would make an interim judgement to give the Memorandum of Understanding some weight for consideration in planning appeals once it was in the public domain.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.