Minutes:
Nick Harding gave the forum an update with regard to the Local Plan and said that at the last meeting it was agreed that the plan would be broken down into a series of component parts and for these to be discussed at future meetings.
The topic to be discussed today is the ‘Distribution of Growth’ and is concerning the principles rather than the numbers.
He added that there is not an expectation to make provision for any more development on a per annum basis than is stated in the current Local Plan, which is approx. 550 dwellings per year.
Nick Harding asked the Forum Members whether the new Local Plan should have the same distribution or something significantly different.
The comment was made with regard to the amount of development taking place in the District currently. Nick Harding stated that it is a reflection around the challenges of delivering developments of the larger allocations and that is a topic which is going to be discussed with the forum members.
The comment was made with regard to the growth of villages and whether they will be developed further. Nick Harding commented that a certain level of growth would be allowed to take place but he could not say how much as this would be established through the Local Plan process.
The Chairman commented that in his opinion the requirement of having BCP’s in advance of getting applications in the major strategic site have acted as a barrier of bringing those forward, due to the need of getting cooperation of so many land owners to formulate the BCP. Due to this, there have been many approvals for areas which don’t require a BCP, ie below 249 dwellings or the villages. He added that in his opinion, the demand sites are primarily from local or regional developers in this area as opposed to National Companies.
The Chairman stated that if considerations for larger allocations are still to be an option, then there must be the provision to allow sites to be parcelled up, into size, to give opportunities for all types of developer.
Nick Harding commented that there are many different options and decisions for the Local Authority to consider. He also said that there was a requirement for a significant proportion of the requirement to be met through small sites.
Gary Garford mentioned that the CPCA have provided a small amount of funding to Fenland where a financial incentive can be offered if additional affordable housing is built on top of the already agreed affordable housing on developers planning consents. It was agreed to invite Dan Horn, Head of Housing and Community Support at the District Council to the next Developer Forum to present to the group on small stalled sites that Developers can identify.
Action: Dan Horn to be invited to the next Fenland Developer Forum.
Nick Harding advised the Forum that a broad timetable is currently being looked at, which will be published and circulated when it is available.