Agenda item
Local Development Framework (LDF)
To receive a presentation on the Local Development Plan and associated matters.
Minutes:
Michael Bell, Strategic Planning Manager gave a presentation on The Local Development Framework. A copy of the presentation is appended to the minutes. The presentation summarised the two elements of the framework which were:
- Development Plan Documents (DPD) (to be presented at Cabinet in December 2011)
- Supplementary Planning Document on Planning Obligations (to be presented to Cabinet in January 2012)
The Planning Manager introduced the role and function of the two Development Plan Documents (DPD) being prepared following the adoption of the Core Strategy:
- Managing Development DPD – provided detailed policies for the assessment of planning applications; identified policy areas, such as town centres, where certain policies applied; and identified sites for important infrastructure such as new schools and local parks.
- Fish Island Area Action Plan – set out a vision for the regeneration of existing industrial land within Fish Island, within the context of the wider Olympic Legacy
A total of 26 consultation events were carried out across the Borough to inform the preparation of the DPDs. These were to be presented for approval at Cabinet prior to further statutory consultations in the New Year. In April 2012, Full Council would be asked to approve the submission of the DPDs to the Secretary of State for independent examination. The examination will be likely to start in September 2012 with the adoption of the documents anticipated in early 2013.
In response to Member’s questions on the DPD, the following information was provided by Michael Bell Planning Manager and Jill Bell Head of Legal Services - Environment:
- Should the DPDs not be approved by full Council for submission to the Secretary of State there are significant risks which would arise. The Fish Island Area Action Plan would fall under the jurisdiction of the London Mayoral Development Corporation from autumn 2012 and the Council would lose its opportunity to express local views. Both documents would loose the amount of weight they would have in the determination of planning applications, meaning the Council would still need to rely out its outdated Unitary Development Plan (UDP).
- The existing Gypsy and Traveller site would not be affected by the DPD however it had not been possible to identify another suitable site within the Borough.
- Concerning whether there would be an influence on the numbers of fast food premises, the Committee was informed that the Managing Development DPD contained a policy to restrict the location of such uses to town centres, subject to safeguards to ensure there is no over-concentration in any one town centre.
- It had not been possible to identify a site for a multi faith burial ground within the Borough due to the lack of available suitable sites, the cost of acquiring a site and other competing uses. Officers assessed that if they had identified a site then the landowners would object and it would be highly unlikely to pass an independent examination.
- A noise standards clause for the assessment of planning applications was incorporated in the Managing Development DPD.
- Concerning a UNESCO opinion on the Borough skyline, the Committee was informed that there was a separate policy for the Tower of London and Greenwich Maritime world heritage matters to ensure greater protection was given to these sites.
- The Managing Development DPD specified that an affordable housing contribution must be made if student housing planning applications were not for educational establishments in the Borough.
- Concerning the implications of reducing the number of allocation sites from approximately 200 in the UDP to around 30 in the Managing Development DPD, the Committee was informed that this was to focus on sites where infrastructure was required on-site.
- Concerning the effect of the Localism Bill on development, the Committee was informed that the core strategy and annexe, together with the Managing Development DPD, provided sufficient information on the appropriate use of sites which did not have a specific allocation.
The Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) would be presented at Cabinet in January 2012. This was being developed at this time because the economic downturn had made negotiating S106 more difficult. The Law around S106 was strengthened and would change again in 2014 when the Community Infrastructure Levy would be brought in. The Council now has a series of formulae for calculating planning obligations and was working towards key priorities.
In response to Member’s questions on the SPD, the following information was provided:
- Concerning the flexibility of spending of planning obligations, the Committee was informed that S106 contributions must be related to development. CIL was a different system and there would be a standard charge to be applied to all new development. The Committee was asked to note that the Mayor of London will be introducing his own CIL to fund Cross Rail from April 2012. The Mayor of London’s CIL will be charged on all new development in the Borough.
- Councillor Eaton queried the child yield calculations which, in her view, did not sufficiently account for play-space. She was informed that this was incorporated in the SPD and in addition the Council intended to incorporate the Mayor of London's recommended measurement.
- The SDP would address the impact of new development on the public realm for the benefit of the existing, as well as new, communities.
Councillor Islam requested that the Planning Obligations SPD be presented to Overview and Scrutiny in January.
Action Michael Bell, Strategic Planning Manager
The Strategic Planning Manager agreed to speak to the Committee on the impacts of the Localism Act on planning in February 2012 as part of a wider discussion on the impacts of the Act.
Action Democratic Services
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.