Issue - meetings

RESOLVED: That the proposed response to the consultation as at amended Appendix 1 of the decision be agreed.

The Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure introduced the report concerning a public consultation launched by the Department for Levelling-Up Housing and Communities into proposed changes to current national planning policy as outlined in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2021 and proposed changes to be made to national planning policy because of the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill that was progressing through Parliament.  It was noted that:

·  The consultation would close at 11.45 p.m. on 2 March 2023.

·  Changes to current national planning policy included plan making, housing supply and delivery, design codes and design of development, Green Belt, climate change, natural environment, implementation of proposed changes and updates to the glossary of terms.

·  Changes to national planning policy because of the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill currently passing through Parliament included developer accountability, more build out, protecting the environment and climate change, plan making, National Development Management policies and Levelling-Up.

·  The Government had asked 58 questions and proposed responses were set out in Appendix 1 to the report.  Typographical and other minor corrections would be made to the responses before submission.

Members thanked the Officers for a comprehensive set of responses but wished to recommend a few changes.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE LEAD MEMBER FOR PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE:  That the proposed responses to the national planning policy consultation set out at Appendix 1 to the report be agreed subject to the following additions/amendments: