Agenda item

a)    Cabinet Report.

b)    Main Modifications.

c)    Minor Modifications.

The Chairman reminded those present that they had looked at draft modifications at the previous meeting, the document included with the agenda now provided more detail on the Main and Minor modifications.

The Principal Planner explained that the Inspector had sent his preliminary findings though and a list of things he expected to be amended in the plan, which formed the modification schedule.  The Inspector’s results had been made available on the Borough Council’s website.

A table of the Main and Minor modifications was set out in the agenda.  The Principal Planner informed the Task Group that the Modifications would be presented to a joint meeting of the Regeneration & Development and Environment & Community Panel on 24^th February, Cabinet on 1^st March and Council on 24^th March 2016.

The Task Group was informed that the Main Modifications typically referred to changes in policies and policy wording, and the Minor Modifications more likely referred to typos and explanations. 

The LDF Manager explained that the Main Modifications would be advertised and members of the public would be invited to comment.  The Inspector would then consider all comments received.

The Principal Planner explained that Planning Control would have regard to the Modifications once they had been agreed by Council.  She referred to one of the Main changes requested by the Inspector in that all allocations should have ‘at least’ in front of the number of dwellings in the allocation.  Councillor Crofts highlighted that page 82 had not had ‘at least’ added.  The Principal Planner agreed to double check the plan and amend as required.  She explained that the only exception to ‘at least’ was Hunstanton Policy F2.3 because of the different nature of the site, which was housing with care.

Councillor Crofts referred to a previous Government consultation relating to affordable housing contributions and that small developers did not have to make a financial contribution until after development had finished.  The LDF Manager explained that this had been proposed to assist small developers who often could not afford to make the contribution upfront.  The LDF Manager reminded the Task Group that the Government had introduced new rules relating to affordable housing and then subsequently withdrawn them.  He agreed to check the current arrangements for small developer contributions and report back to the Task Group.

Councillor Moriarty referred to page 44 of the agenda which related to development in smaller villages and hamlets in exceptional circumstances.  The LDF Manager explained that exceptional circumstances could include a change of use of land, or taking away land from employment use.  The LDF Manager clarified that the changes to the policy were the underlined or strikethrough sections.  In response to a further question from Councillor Moriarty, the LDF Manager explained that an application for development in small villages and hamlets would be assessed on its own merit and infill development would depend on the scale and character and would be a matter for consideration when determining planning applications.

Councillor Moriarty referred to page 133 of the agenda, Minor Modification G.22.6 and asked if it meant that 15 were being added to the amount of available properties.  The Chairman explained that the modification was to between 11 and 15 dwellings.  The LDF Manager agreed to look at the wording and if it was unclear he would amend.

Councillor Mrs Buck referred to page 59.  She explained that ‘National’ had been crossed out from National Planning Policy Framework.  The LDF Manager agreed to check that the reference was correct.

Councillor Crofts referred to page 60 which stated that advice would be sought from the lead local flood authorities; Norfolk County Council and the Environment Agency.  He asked why the Internal Drainage Boards had not been included.  The LDF Manager explained that this had not been suggested by the Inspector.  He reminded the Task Group that the Modification Schedule would go out for public consultation and Members of the Task Group could also make comments through this route.

The Principal Planner explained that the public consultation exercise was likely to commence at the beginning of April for a period of six weeks.

Councillor Crofts asked if any allocations had been made in Ashwicken and Flitcham.  The Principal Planner explained that no allocation had been made in Ashwicken as Highways had raised access issues on the potential site.  The Principal Planner confirmed there was no allocation for Flitcham and agreed to report back to the Task Group on the reasons for this.

RESOLVED: (i) The Principal Planner to check that ‘at least’ appeared before the allocations in the wording of the plan.

(ii) The LDF Manager to check the current arrangements for small developer contributions and report back to the Task Group.

(iii) The LDF Manager and Principal Planner to consider the comments made by the Task Group where appropriate.

(iv) The Principal Planner to feedback on Flitcham.

(v) The Principal Planner to feedback to the Task Group on the availability of Flood Risk Maps.