New Planning Policies
Minutes:
The Working Party considered issues contained in a paper produced by Members on particular issues of concern. The paper was intended to encourage discussion on possible changes to planning policies in the light of national projected population figures, including an increase in the number of elderly people requiring various categories of housing and care and the number of young people living at home but requiring an element of independent living.
Affordable Housing
The Head of Planning and Environment reminded Members that the results of the Housing Market Assessment would be available at the end of July 2008 and that these results would provide robust evidence for revision of the policy relating to the provision of affordable housing and the proportion of affordable housing to be provided within new development schemes. Officers accepted the intentions behind the proposals to ensure that the provision of affordable housing was maximised.
Categories of Care for the Elderly
The Head of Planning and Environment stated that in relation to extensions to Care Homes in the green belt, there could be conflict with national green belt policy which would mean the Council’s Core Strategy would be unsound. It was acknowledged that whilst Members had the option of overturning officers’ recommendations at Planning Committee in relation to applications for extensions to Care Homes, this was not a particularly satisfactory approach. It was noted that the results of the Older Persons Housing Survey would be available in December 2008 and this would assist in identifying gaps in provision. Officers undertook to seek information from other Authorities within the Council’s “family group” in relation to the issue of extensions to care homes within the green belt.
It was reported that the Head of Strategic Housing had undertaken to arrange for Members to visit a Care Village and a “Care at Hand “facility together with a presentation from officers representing social services and supporting people to assist with the identification of gaps in service provision and the type of accommodation the Council may wish to encourage in order to meet the needs of older people within the District.
The 40% Rule
In relation to the possible increase in the floor area on which present policy is based, the Head of Planning and Environment undertook to report back to a future meeting with plans illustrating examples of various floor areas together with suggestions for a base date from which extensions could be calculated.
RESOLVED that the contents of the paper together with the subsequent discussions be taken into account by officers in formulating new policies and that officers report back with the additional information referred to above as soon as possible.