Lead Member – Councillor David Walker, Portfolio Holder for Planning

Lead Officer – Tim Collard, Service Director for Legal and Governance

RESOLVED:

3.1 To approve the submission of the Council’s response to Government’s national planning reform consultations (Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out; Technical Consultation on Implementing Measures to Improve Build Out Transparency; Planning Reform Working Paper: Reforming Site Thresholds; and Reform of Planning Committees: Technical Consultation), as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

3.2.That authority be given to the Service Director - Legal and Governance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning to agree any additional changes to the Council’s response to Government’s national planning reform consultations, ahead of their submission to Government.

Cllr David Walker, Portfolio Holder for Planning, introduced the response to four government consultations on reforming the planning system. Whilst generally supportive of measures to increase speed up of build out and improve transparency, the response emphasised the need for local responsiveness and maintenance of robust planning requirements, particularly regarding affordable housing and biodiversity.  Concerns were raised about loss of local democratic oversight and reduction of the role of local councils in decision-making.  The proposed response opposed a national scheme of delegation, advocating for local approaches that recognise community contexts and supported town and parish councils. 

RESOLVED:

3.1 To approve the submission of the Council’s response to Government’s national planning reform consultations (Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out; Technical Consultation on Implementing Measures to Improve Build Out Transparency; Planning Reform Working Paper: Reforming Site Thresholds; and Reform of Planning Committees: Technical Consultation), as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

3.2.That authority be given to the Service Director - Legal and Governance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning to agree any additional changes to the Council’s response to Government’s national planning reform consultations, ahead of their submission to Government.