Issue - meetings

City of York Council is a Local Planning Authority and has responsibility for planning within the authority area. The Government are consulting on reforms of the National Planning Policy Framework, which sets the overarching planning framework for plan-making and decision-making. Although a consultation at this stage, should the proposals be implemented there would be implications for planning in York.

This report sets out the key matters outlined in the consultation for consideration and discussion with members of the Local Plan Working Group to inform the Council’s response to the consultation.

Resolved:

                      i.       To note the discussion and recommendations arising from Local Plan Working Group; 

                     ii.       To agree to submit a comprehensive response to the consultation; 

                    iii.       To delegate authority to the Director for City Development, in conjunction with the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Neighbourhoods, for any changes and approval the final response for submission.   

Reason:    To allow a Council response to the Government’s consultation on Proposed Modifications to the National Planning Policy Framework by the deadline of 24 September 2024.

The Executive Member considered a report introduced by the Director of City Development and presented by the Head of Planning and Development Services and the Principal Strategic Planning Policy Officer.

Officers explained that this guidance concerned the National Planning and Policy Framework, and that the consultation for this was to close at 11:45am the next day (24 September) driving the need for a response.

The Executive Member stated that the York draft Local Plan was now in examination; the final consultations had taken place and it would be adopted in the near future. When adopted, the local plan would set the green belt boundary, strategic development and local development objectives for the plan period.

In response to a request from the Executive Member, officers explained how this new Framework would impact the Local Plan, noting that it could potentially trigger a review.

The Executive Member asked officers to seek further clarification regarding the likelihood and impact of a review. On this point, officers noted that additional funding may be available for the authority, should a review take place.

Officers also noted that should a review take place, the authority may find itself potentially transitioning to a new Local Plan while still trying to embed a recently adopted local plan, and this should be accounted for in terms of resources and costs.

The Executive Member addressed public participation stating that it was easier to stipulate M4(2) and M4(3) compliance with regard to affordable housing stock, but the authority would need the national government to provide further assistance to ensure those ineligible for support who wish to buy or modify a property are catered for.

The Executive Member then

Resolved:

                      i.       To note the discussion and recommendations arising from Local Plan Working Group; 

                     ii.       To agree to submit a comprehensive response to the consultation; 

                    iii.       To delegate authority to the Director for City Development, in conjunction with the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Neighbourhoods, for any changes and approval the final response for submission.   

Reason:     To allow a Council response to the Government’s consultation on Proposed Modifications to the National Planning Policy Framework by the deadline of 24 September 2024.