Agenda item

The Corporate Director of Economy & Place to present a report which provides an update on the Local Plan examination, including additional technical evidence on the Objective Assessment of Housing Needs and further work undertaken on the Habitat Regulation Assessment, and seeks approval of a schedule of modifications for submission to the Planning Inspectorate.

Resolved:  (i)      That the additional Objective Assessment of Housing Need (OAN) evidence, already submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) following approval by the Director of Economy & Place in consultation with the relevant Members under delegated powers, be noted.

Reason:     To allow officers to progress York’s Local Plan through to hearing sessions to determine the OAN.

                   (ii)      That the modification schedule attached as Annex E to the report be approved for submission to PINS for examination.

Reason:     So that York’s Local Plan can progress through examination.

The Assistant Director of Transport & Planning and the Forward Plan Manager presented a report which provided an update on the Local Plan examination. This included additional technical evidence regarding the Objective Assessment of Housing Need (OAN), submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) on 29 January, and the implications for the Plan of further work carried out on the Habitat Regulation Assessment (HRA).  These matters had been considered by the Local Plan Working Group at their meeting on 27 February 2019, the minutes of which were circulated to Members.

The Housing Needs Update prepared by consultants GL Hearn and attached as Annex A to the report examined recent population projections, concluding that the OAN in York was 790 dwellings per annum (dpa).  This further strengthened the robustness and flexibility of proposed housing supply in the submitted Plan, which had been based on the previous figure of 867 dpa.  The HRA update, attached as Annex C, addressed concerns raised by Natural England, particularly in relation to Strensall Common, and recommended that site allocations ST35 and H59 (Queen Elizabeth Barracks) be removed from the Plan.  These changes were reflected in the proposed modifications schedule at Annex E.

In response to questions from Members, officers confirmed that work was in progress on drafting the prioritised Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) on green infrastructure and affordable housing and the drafts would be brought to Executive as soon as possible. 

Resolved:  (i)      That the additional Objective Assessment of Housing Need (OAN) evidence, already submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) following approval by the Director of Economy & Place in consultation with the relevant Members under delegated powers, be noted.

Reason:     To allow officers to progress York’s Local Plan through to hearing sessions to determine the OAN.

                   (ii)      That the modifications schedule attached as Annex E to the report be approved for submission to PINS for examination.

Reason:     So that York’s Local Plan can progress through examination.