Agenda item

Questions to the Portfolio Holder for Local Planning & Environment

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Local Planning & Environment presented a report on the recent successes and challenges ahead within his portfolio. Following an inspection in October 2014 the Council’s co-mingled recycling was assessed as creating high quality recyclate, meaning there was no need to introduce separate collections for each material. The Council had been responding to issues raised by the Independent Inspector on the Allocation and Development Management Plan and had been progressing the Gypsy and Travellers Plan. The other challenges were the difficulties in recruiting and retaining planners and that Kent Highways was reviewing its policy on removing commercial flytipping, which could adversely impact the Council’s own service for clearances.

 

The Portfolio Holder responded to a question by the Chairman and confirmed that the planning performance information in the report related to the percentage of applications responded to within the statutory deadlines.

 

Action: The Chief Planning Officer to confirm to the Committee the total number of planning applications received by the Council in a year.

 

A Member raised a concern that some properties were being built and sold at high prices but did not provide Affordable Housing contributions as it had been argued they would be unviable if provided. The Portfolio Holder felt that good Affordable Housing provision was being made at the West Kent Cold Store and could be made at Fort Halstead. Figures provided by developers on viability were assessed by the Council’s external consultants, Adams Integra. The contract with this firm would be coming up for renewal soon and would be looked at critically. The Chief Planning Officer and Chief Housing Officer were also investigating whether the Council could develop its in-house expertise. The Portfolio Holder felt that Affordable Housing was a key issue and noted that in the last three years the Council had only achieved 11, 9 and 20% Affordable Housing when the policy was for provision of up to 40% on new developments.

 

The Portfolio Holder was asked whether there were any steps that could be taken to redress the relative shortage of 2-bed houses in the District. He advised that the Council could influence the private sector, but it had more control over the public sector housing. The Chief Planning Officer added that the Council would consider the Strategic Housing Market Assessment when the Core Strategy was reviewed, and would see how far the policy could be developed while still being found sound by an Inspector.

 

A Member was concerned that too many planning appeals were being dealt with through written representations when local Members may feel important issues needed to be raised. Although the Portfolio Holder asked that Members let him know of concerns as soon as possible as he had an open door policy, Officers confirmed that the Council was more successful on those appeals carried out through written representations.

 

Another Member asked what the implications would have been if the Council had needed to perform separate recycling collections for each material. The Deputy Portfolio Holder, who was also present, confirmed there would have been significant capital and staffing costs, possibly in excess of £2 million.

 

In response to a question, the Chief Planning Officer advised that it would be the planning application decision maker who would make the final determination on whether any Affordable Housing contribution would be acceptable.

 

Supporting documents:

 

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