Issue - meetings

This report sets out the implications the Government’s consultation on the new National Planning Policy Framework will have on the emerging Three Rivers Local Plan. Based on these implications Officers recommend to delay the Regulation 19 consultation and undertake further evidence work.

Recommendation:

That:

·         The Local Plan Sub-Committee agrees the delay of the Regulation 19 publication of the Local Plan;

·         Authorises Officers to undertake the further evidence work on Green Belt, Urban Capacity, Open Space, Sport and Recreation and Gypsy and Traveller needs;

·         That Officers prepare an updated Local Development Scheme setting out an updated timetable for the Local Plan.

The Head of Planning Policy and Conservation gave a presentation covering the implications of proposed planning reforms and transitional arrangements on the progress of the Local Plan.  The presentation included the Local Plan background; the evidence base work and consultations which had been carried out to date; local housing need; the risks of continuing to Regulation 19; and the reasons for the recommendation which was before the Committee to delay the Regulation 19 consultation and undertake further evidence work.  This followed a recent Government consultation on a draft NPPF which proposed a revised method for assessing housing need which would result in a circa 15% increase in the housing need target to 739 dwellings per annum (dpa) from 640.  

For reasons which included the very significant difference between the proposed housing requirement (under both the current standard methodology and the proposed new methodology) and the low growth local housing need figure of 270 dpa which had been consulted on at the Regulation 18 stage, the sub-committee heard that officers were of the view that the current Local Plan would be very likely to be found unsound at examination, even if assessed against the 2023 NPPF.  In the unexpected event that it were found to be sound at examination, the proposed transitional arrangements for the new NPPF would require the production of a new Plan within a fixed timescale of 18 months to meet the Government’s proposed new housing target.  This was because there was a gap of more than 200 dwellings per annum between the authority’s housing need figure and the emerging housing requirement.

The sub-committee also heard that Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANG) requirements on sites in the zone of influence for the Chiltern Beechwoods special area of conservation could result in the removal of two sites (nearly 200 dwellings); the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment required updating and work to address unmet need; and the 270 dpa consulted on at Regulation 18 was now likely to be closer to 200 dpa due to a reduction in developable areas / removal of sites.  Additional work was therefore needed on both SANG and the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment before the Plan would be ready for submission. The Committee was informed that there is a statutory obligation for the Local Planning Authority to submit a plan believed to be sound, legally compliant and ready for examination at the time of submission.

Officers advised that a new Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study was being requested by Sport England as the existing study was from 2019.  Officers advised that such a study might take a year.  The Chair and Members asked that this be checked with Sport England, and if a far shorter timescale could be used.

Officers drew attention to the fact that the Plan would in due course need to meet the requirements of the 2024 NPPF, irrespective of whether or not the Regulation 19 consultation was delayed.  It was therefore proposed to immediately commence the further evidence  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47