Council and democracy
Home > Council and Democracy > Decision register
To agree to submit the response to the open consultation on Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system as set out in Appendix 1.
To agree delegated authority is given to the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development to agree any minor amendments to the response in order to finalise the joint response.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control, and Infrastructure
Decision published: 26/09/2024
Effective from: 26/09/2024
Decision:
Matter for Decision:
a. To
agree to submit the response to the open consultation on Proposed reforms
to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning
system as set out in Appendix 1.
Appendix
1 Response to NPPF Consultation
b. To
agree delegated authority is given to the Joint Director for Planning and
Economic Development to agree any minor amendments to the response in order to
finalise the joint response.
Why the Decision had to be made (and any alternative
options):
Background:
The purpose of this decision is to agree a response to the
Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to
the planning system consultation.
Consultation closes on 24 September 2024 and further information
can be viewed on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
website for the consultation: Proposed reforms to the National
Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system - GOV.UK
(www.gov.uk)
The consultation seeks views on changes to the National
Planning Policy Framework and wider changes to the planning system, with a
focus on enabling the delivery of 1.5m homes over the next 5 years. It proposed
changes to the standard method of calculating housing requirements, changes to
green belt policy including introducing the term ‘grey belt’ and ‘golden rules’
that would apply to green belt development, changes to the approach to
affordable housing, and renewable energy. It also proposes changes to the
planning application process, seeking views on what should
be covered by Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, and how planning
fees should be set.
Feedback is requested via submission of written responses to
the answered questions included within the document. The Councils’ response is
set out in Appendix 1. Note that the response is proposed to be joint by
Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, but it will
be subject to each council’s individual decision sign of process.
Response
to the Consultation:
The draft response is supportive of a number of the changes
proposed in the draft NPPF, although there are a number of cases where the
proposed response is supportive of the general principle but concerned about
omitted details or unintended consequences. The response has raised concerns
about amendments to the presumption of sustainable development not doing enough
to secure high quality development, the lack of transitionary arrangement
associated with changes to the standard method for assessing housing needs and,
and the proposed definition of Grey Belt Land and expansion of the PDL
definition. In response to wide changes to the planning system, the proposed
response supports proposals to increase planning fees to enable cost recovery.
Alternative Options:
An alternative option would be to not respond to the
consultation. However, if no response is made by Cambridge City and South
Cambridgeshire District Councils, MHCLG would not be made aware of the
Councils’ views on the proposed changes to national planning policy.
The Executive Councillor’s decision: That the
Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure agrees:
a.
to submit the response to the open
consultation on Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and
other changes to the planning system as set out in Appendix 1.
Appendix
1 Response to NPPF Consultation
b. that
delegated authority is given to the Joint Director for Planning and Economic
Development to agree any minor amendments to the response in order to finalise
the joint response.
Reason for the decision: To provide feedback on the
consultation reflecting issues relevant to Greater Cambridge.
Scrutiny Consideration: The Chair and Spokesperson of
Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action
being authorised.
Conflict of interest: None.
Comments: Councillor Porrer (Liberal Democrat
Opposition Spokes) made comments which were addressed by the Planning Policy
Manager and the draft response reviewed and updated.
Lead officer: Jonathan Dixon