Issue - meetings

To present Interim Planning Guidance Notes to assist the Council in managing development effectively while the new Local Plan is being prepared.

AGREED to:

·         Revoke the 2015 Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document, the 2014 Resource Use and Renewable Energy SPD, the 2004 Nene Waterfront Development Brief and the 2015 Interim Guidance on Policy LP4 Part B

·         Approve the publication of an Interim Planning Guidance Note on Planning Obligations

·         Approve the publication of an Interim Planning Guidance Note on Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land.

·         Approve the publication of an Interim Planning Guidance Note on Houses in Multiple Occupation, and to

·         Delegate authority to the Head of Planning, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, to make minor updates to the Interim Planning Guidance Notes as required, ensuring they remain up to date and fit for purpose.

Members considered the New and Updated Interim Planning Guidance report presented by Councillor Mrs Laws.

Councillor Hoy commented that the HMO guidance is a good addition and notes that the cumulative impact of other HMOs in the vicinity can be considered. However, she wondered how cumulative impact can be determined if an HMO’s existence is unknown, as a property containing less than five people would not need a licence and if they are not in an Article 4 area, planning permission will not be required. Councillor Mrs Laws said in these instances there will be a reliance on neighbours to report that information directly or through their ward councillors.

Councillor Hoy said she also liked the addition of the information about parking provision because it comes up time and again and the guidance is very useful. However, her slight concern is that when parking has been questioned before, members have been told it cannot be queried because it goes against the national planning policy framework for town centre parking. The parking survey method statement gives instructions on what to do but she would like some further clarification on what happens if an HMO does not meet the parking survey and how this works with town centre parking. Councillor Mrs Laws said she would come back to Councillor Hoy on this. 

Councillor Mrs French said the report should be very helpful for the Planning Committee as there are many grey areas currently, especially regarding flats in town centres. The Committee cannot insist on them having parking spaces and residents take up spaces in FDC car parks. It may be that parking permits may need to be considered if Civil Parking Enforcement comes in.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Laws, seconded by Councillor Hoy and AGREED to:

·         Revoke the 2015 Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document, the 2014 Resource Use and Renewable Energy SPD, the 2004 Nene Waterfront Development Brief and the 2015 Interim Guidance on Policy LP4 Part B

·         Approve the publication of an Interim Planning Guidance Note on Planning Obligations

·         Approve the publication of an Interim Planning Guidance Note on Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land.

·         Approve the publication of an Interim Planning Guidance Note on Houses in Multiple Occupation, and to

·         Delegate authority to the Head of Planning, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, to make minor updates to the Interim Planning Guidance Notes as required, ensuring they remain up to date and fit for purpose.