Agenda item

The Executive considered the Surrey Heath Authorities Monitoring Report (AMR) which had been produced in line with the requirements set out in the Localism Act 2011, which stated a report must be produced and planning authorities must publish this information direct to the public at least yearly. The AMR monitored the period from 1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015.

The purpose of the AMR was to provide details of the actions which had been taken to implement a Local Development Plan and the Local Development Scheme, to indicate the extent to which policies in the current Surrey Heath Local Plan had been achieved, and to identify any solutions and changes where targets were not being met.

Concern was expressed that, over the plan period to date, around only 5% of completed dwellings had affordable housing, against a Core Strategy and Development Management Policy target of 35%.  However it was noted the new policies had only been in place for 3 years and it would take some time for their effects to become fully apparent.  In addition a significant quantity of applications had come through as prior notifications for the conversion of offices to residential accommodation which meant that there was no incentive or requirement for developers to provide affordable housing.  Furthermore the requirement to provide SANGs payments affected the financial viability of developers being able to deliver affordable housing in the Borough.

Resolved that the Surrey Heath Local Plan Authorities Monitoring Report be approved for the purpose of making the document publically available at the Council offices and on the Council’s website.