Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

To identify the latest position on key planning issues affecting the District.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the report on strategic planning matters be noted;

(2)       That the submission in Appendix A of the report be noted and endorsed;

(3)       That the Executive Member for Planning and Transport be requested to write to the Government minister to express concern, on behalf of the residents of North Herts District Council, at the turn of events regarding the proposed changes to planning legislation that will adversely affect employment areas.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To keep Cabinet informed of recent developments on strategic planning matters and progress on the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.

Audio recording – 16 minutes 11 seconds

The Executive Member for Planning and Transport presented the report entitled Strategic Planning Matters together with the following appendices:

·                Appendix A – Response to MHCLG on Article 4 Direction (excluding appendices);

·                Appendix B – Letter to Councillor Clark regarding the NHDC Local Plan Examination;

·                Appendix C – Letter from the Planning Inspectorate regarding Household Projections.

He drew attention to the following:

·                Provisional dates had been set for the Local Plan Examination Hearings to recommence via a virtual platform on 14, 21 and 28 September 2020;

·                New housing figures had been released by the Office of National Statistics on 29 June 2020 and work was being undertaken regarding this information;

·                Work was being undertaken in light of the reduction in housing numbers for Luton and the Council’s Duty to Cooperate;

·                Consultation regarding the Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan had now commenced;

·                Luton Airport have announced their aim to become the most environmentally friendly airport.

The Strategic Planning Manager advised that:

·                Article 4 directions had been issued to prevent offices and industrial buildings being changed to residential, however the Government had announced that office building could be demolished and replaced with residential without full permission.

Councillor Stears-Handscomb expressed concern at the announcement and proposed, Councillor Paul Clark seconded:

“That the Executive Member for Planning and Transport be requested to write to the Government minister to express concern, on behalf of the residents of North Herts District Council, at the turn of events regarding the proposed changes to planning legislation that will adversely affect employment areas.”

It was moved by Councillor Paul Clark, seconded by Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb and:

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the report on strategic planning matters be noted;

(2)       That the submission in Appendix A of the report be noted and endorsed;

(3)       That the Executive Member for Planning and Transport be requested to write to the Government minister to express concern, on behalf of the residents of North Herts District Council, at the turn of events regarding the proposed changes to planning legislation that will adversely affect employment areas.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To keep Cabinet informed of recent developments on strategic planning matters and progress on the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.