Note – the status of Neighbourhood Plans in the District may be found via this link
https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/my-services/planning-and-building/neighbourhood-planning/
Minutes:
Before inviting the Planning Officer to present his regular update on local and national planning issues, the Chairman referred briefly to the possibility of RAF Scampton being used for providing accommodation for immigrants whilst their applications for asylum were being processed and stated that this matter would not be discussed at this evening’s meeting. It was probable that the issue would arise at a future date.
The Planning Officer advised that in relation to the consultation on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), West Lindsey’s comments had been submitted last month.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) had issued a consultation in relation planning fees and performance. Details could be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/increasing-planning-fees-and-performance-technical-consultation
The consultation sought views on the following proposals relating to planning fees and improvements in the performance of local authorities:-
· An increase in planning fees by 35% for major applications and 25% for all other applications.
· The introduction of additional fees for bespoke or ‘fast track’ services.
· The imposition of an annual inflation-related adjustment to planning fees.
· The ring-fencing of additional fees income.
· The doubling of the fees for retrospective applications.
· The removal of the ‘free-go’ for repeat applications.
· The introduction of a prior approval fee for the permitted development right allowing the Crown to develop sites within the perimeter of a closed defence site.
· The building of planning capacity and capability within local authorities, including dealing with the challenges in recruitment and retention, and how these could be addressed.
· The reduction of the Planning Guarantee from 26 weeks to 16 weeks for non-major applications.
· Improvements in the quality of the local authority planning service by monitoring more performance measures.
A response was being prepared which would be shared with the Committee in due course.
Further consultations had been initiated by the DLUHC relating to the following:-
DLUHC Environmental Outcomes Reports: A new approach to environmental assessment – The consultation would close on 9th June 2023. Details could be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/environmental-outcomes-reports-a-new-approach-to-environmental-assessment
DLUHC – Technical Consultation on the Infrastructure Levy – The consultation would close on 9 June 2023 and details could be found at:
The implications of these consultations for WLDC were being assessed within the context of formulating an appropriate response.
It was reported that the draft Local Plan had been found to be sound subject to a number of modifications and a report would be taken to the Central Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee Meeting on 13 April. In the event that the Plan was adopted on 13 April, it would become the Development Plan against which all decisions were made. This meant that at the next Committee meeting decisions would be taken against the policies contained in the new Plan.
With regard to local issues, the following information concerning Neighbourhood Plans (NPs) was submitted:-
Details of the progress of all Neighbourhood Plans within the District could be found at:
https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/my-services/planning-and-building/neighbourhood-planning/
The Chairman expressed the hope that all those Members unable to be present at this evening’s meeting would receive a summary of the current position as now reported.