Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Planning and Property attached.

Decision made (Unanimously):

1.    That following the end of the consultation period, Cabinet agree to forward the Memorandum of Understanding on Housing Provision and Distribution to Council appended to the report, together with a report on the outcome of the consultation for consideration.

The Cabinet Member (Planning, Regeneration and City), Councillor Bill Evans, presented a report of the Director of Planning and Property that provided an update on housing numbers in relation to the Central Lancashire Local Plan. The report also sought approval to agree a Memorandum of Understanding on the approach across Central Lancashire.

The Cabinet Member explained that housing numbers are a keystone of the Local Plan process. The current housing number for South Ribble was established in the Central Lancashire Core Strategy which was adopted in 2012 and confirmed in a Memorandum of Understanding from September 2017.

Since then there have been significant changes in national government policy through changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Guidance (NPPG). There has also been the introduction of a Government standard method of calculation of housing need.

The new Local Plan for Central Lancashire is, however, only at an early stage with Issues and Options being consulted upon from November 2019. The new Local Plan will take at least another 2 years to be adopted therefore it is imperative to establish an interim position on housing numbers across the Central Lancashire area.

A short period of consultation with interested parties such as house builders, developers and planning agents was commenced at the beginning of November, the responses of which will be reported to Council at the end of the month.

The Director of Planning and Property explained that prior to the meeting, the Council had received a letter from PWA Planning who had sought advice on the approach being taken and found it to be unlawful. It was however stressed that a decision would not be taken at this meeting and that any decision taken by Council would be following the undertaking of all necessary consultation.

Decision made (Unanimously):

1.    That following the end of the consultation period, Cabinet agree to forward the Memorandum of Understanding on Housing Provision and Distribution to Council appended to the report, together with a report on the outcome of the consultation for consideration.

Reason(s) for the decision:

It is important that a revised and up to date position on housing requirements for the Central Lancashire are is established. Government challenges authorities to ensure a 5 years’ supply of deliverable homes and also ensure delivery matches need. It is felt that the current provision and distribution in the Central Lancashire Core Strategy needs updating to reflect the most up to date circumstances prior to the adoption of a new Local Plan in 2022.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

To continue with the current Local Plan figure of 417 homes per annum. This would however, put South Ribble at risk against measures on supply and delivery and it is felt that this does not reflect the housing needs arising in the Borough.