Agenda item

The Executive considered a response to the Government’s consultation on the Technical consultation on the implementation of planning changes.

The consultation covers a number of aspects of the reforms contained in the Housing and Planning Bill which was currently progressing through the Parliamentary process. These changes are intended to support housing delivery. Those themes addressed within the consultation of particular significance were the introduction of Permission in Principle, introduction of Brownfield Registers, speeding up of neighbourhood planning, government intervention in Local Plans, introduction of Fast Track planning applications and testing competition in the processing of planning applications.

It was noted that the suggested changes would have implications for fee income for planning applications. It was not clear what proportion of fees the Council would receive for planning applications processed by the private sector. It was not evident that this would result in any reduction in costs or the current levels of staff required. Changes would result in increased costs and time required for the Local Plan process including examinations. The impact of these proposals would be felt within 2016/17 as the government was clear that it wished to progress these changes quickly.

Resolved to agree the response set out at Annex 1 of the agenda report as the Council’s formal response to the DCLG consultation on the Technical consultation on the implementation of planning changes.