(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)
Cabinet received a report from the Director for Economic Growth & Regeneration to consider the draft Meeting Housing Need Supplementary Planning Document (draft SPD) and sought authorisation for the Service Manager – Planning and Housing Strategy to proceed with informal and statutory consultation.
The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:
Option 1:
Progress the draft SPD through informal and statutorily defined consultation
process.
Advantages:
The consultation process will provide engagement with stakeholders and allow
them to influence the content of the draft SPD.
Consultation and appropriate consideration of the responses will ensure that the
SPD can be afforded weight when determining planning applications.
Disadvantages:
No disadvantages.
Risks:
No risks.
Option 2:
Do not progress the draft SPD through informal and statutorily defined consultation
process.
Advantages:
No advantages.
Disadvantages:
Additional guidance about the criteria within planning policies will not be available
for prospective applicants or as a decision-making tool.
Risks:
Processing the draft SPD without the necessary consultation will reduce any
weight which could be attached to it in the decision-making process.
The officer preferred option is Option 1 - Progress the draft SPD through informal and statutorily defined consultation process, to ensure that if adopted it can be given weight in decision making.
Following a question with regard to service charges and affordable housing it was agreed that a response would be circulated to all Councillors for information.
Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Parr:-
“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”
Councillors then voted:-
Resolved unanimously:
(1) That the draft SPD be approved and authority be delegated to the Service Manager – Planning and Housing Strategy to advance the draft SPD through informal and statutory defined consultation processes.
(2) That the SPD will then be adopted unless the consultation results in any significant changes to the SPD which will be reported back to Cabinet for final endorsement.
Officer responsible for effecting the decision:
Director for Economic Growth and Regeneration
Reasons for making the decision:
The decision is consistent with the Council Plan 2018-2022 which includes ambitions to enhance community cohesion and improve access to quality housing. The Corporate Priorities (updated January 2020) set out a priority to develop housing to ensure people of all incomes are comfortable, warm and able to maintain their independence. The Lancaster Local Plan includes policies which seek to ensure that the new housing developed in the district meets the identified need in terms of the size, type and location. It provides policies which seek to ensure the delivery of affordable housing, housing which meets specific rural local needs, homes for the elderly, gypsies and travellers and sets out internal size and accessibility standards. The draft SPD will support the implementation of policies within the Local Plan.