Agenda item
Discussions have taken place with Development Management officers around the review of the Core Strategy and Development Management (SADMP) policies. A copy of the table used for this process is attached including a column for ‘notes’, etc. It would be useful for Members of the Task Group to also contribute to this process. The following links will assist Members identify the existing policies being reviewed:
Core Strategy -
https://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/downloads/download/68/core_strategy_document
SADMP Development Management Policies –
Members’ views are requested.
Minutes:
The Principal Planner explained that discussions had taken place with the Development Management Officers around the review of the Core Strategy and Development Management (SADMP) policies. A copy of the table used for the process was attached and Members of the Task Group were invited to contribute to the process.
The Task Group considered each of the policies as set out below:
DM1 Presumption in favour of Sustainable Development
No amendments.
DM2 Development Boundaries
No amendments.
DM2A Early Review of Local Plan
No amendments.
DM3 Development in the Smaller Villages and Hamlets
The Principal Planner (Policy) outlined the current outlined the current infill policy.
The Principal Planner (Policy) explained that during the Plan Review Period there would be an opportunity for the public to comment on development boundaries.
Following a discussion on development boundaries, national planning policies and the 5 year land supply, it was agreed that the Principal Planner (Policy) would liaise with the Planning Control Manager and further details would be presented to a future Task Group meeting.
DM4 Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
In response to questions from the Task Group, the Principal Planner explained that a dwelling could be converted into an HMO with note more than 6 residents without planning permission. It was explained that the Borough Council’s Housing Standards Team intervened where permitted.
Following a discussion on associated facilities, bin storage and car parking provision (one space per occupant being allocated), the Principal Planner (Policy) undertook to liaise with the Planning Control Manager.
DM5 Enlargement or Replacement of Dwellings in the Countryside
No amendments.
DM6 Housing needs of Rural Workers
No amendments
A discussion took place on the definition of an agricultural worker. The Principal Planner (Policy) drew Member’s attention to page 11 of the document relating to existing occupational dwellings:
Proposals for the relaxation or removal of agricultural occupancy conditions will only be permitted where the applicant can demonstrate:
a. The dwelling has been occupied in accordance with the terms of the occupancy condition for a minimum of 5 years; and
b. There is no longer a need for the dwelling by those working, or last working, in the locality in agricultural, forestry or a rural enterprise, established by evidence of marketing (including the provision of details of an independent market valuation reflecting the occupancy condition, as well as all viewings and offers made) for a 12 month period at a price that reflects the occupancy condition.
DM7 Residential Annexes
Following a discussion, regarding size of an annexe, separate door, adjoining to main house, separate annexe, conversion of garages to accommodate relatives holiday lets, sub-division, etc it was agreed that the Principal Planner (Policy) would discuss the issues raised by the Task Group with the Planning Control Manager and report back to Members at a future meeting.
The Principal Planner informed the Task Group that officers were looking at the approach being taken by other authorities.
DM8 Delivering Affordable Housing on Phased Development
A discussion took place regarding the planning history (2nd bullet point):
Planning history – if there is evidence of previous applications for the development of a larger site of which the application site forms a part within the past e years of the date an application is made …..
The Principal Planner (Policy) undertook to liaise with the relevant officers regarding the timescale quoted above and report back to the Task Group.
DM9 Community Facilities
No amendments.
DM10 Retail Development
Following a discussion on:
· Developing retail opportunities in rural areas via the Internet.
· A more café culture for town centres.
· Out of town retail parks.
· Farm shops, etc.
· Emneth/Wisbech fringe
Policy DM10 would be brought back to the Task Group with further details.
DM11 Touring and Permanent Holiday Sites
No amendments.
Following a discussion on holiday homes, the Principal Planner (Policy) advised that, when required, the Planning Officer would recommend a condition on the planning permission.
DM12 Strategic Road Network
No amendments.
A discussion took place on the current traffic issues relating to the A149, A10 and A47.
Reference was made to KLATS survey which had been undertaken as part of the Core Strategy work.
The Principal Planner (Policy) and Water Management Officer explained that there would be more scope to look at the wider road/rail issues during the Local Plan review process.
DM13 Railway Trackways
No amendments.
DM14 Development associated with the National Construction College, Bircham Newton and RAF Marham
No amendments.
DM15 Environment, Design and Amenity
No amendments.
DM16 Provision of Recreational Open Space for Residential Developments
The Principal Planner (Policy) explained that DM16 would need to be reviewed/simplified.
The Task Group referred to planning applications requiring the provision of recreational open space and potential consideration being given to impact of the Community Infrastructure Levy and the phasing of development on a large scale site.
DM17 Parking Provision in New Development Residential Dwellings
No amendments.
DM18 Coastal Flood Risk Hazard Zone (Hunstanton to Dersingham)
No amendments.
A discussion took place around the involvement of the Environment Agency and seasonal occupancy.
DM19 Green Infrastructure/Habitats Monitoring and Mitigation
No amendments.
DM20 Renewable Energy
No amendments.
DM21 Sites in Areas of Flood Risk
Supporting text to be amended to provide explanation of sequential testing.
DM22 Protection of Local Open Space
The Principal Planner undertook to liaise with officers regarding the inclusion of a definition of green open space to be included.
CS08 Sustainable Development
The Chairman, Councillor proposed that the following Core Strategy Policies be considered at the next meeting to which the Task Group agreed:
· CS09 Housing
· CS10 The Economy
· CS11 Transportation
· CS12 Environmental Assets
· CS13 Community and Culture
AGREED: 1) Amendments be made to the policies identified above.
2) The following policies would be brought back to the Task Group:
· DM3 Development in the Smaller Villages and Hamlets.
· DM4 Houses in Multiple Occupation.
· DM7 Residential Annexes
· DM8 Delivering Affordable Housing on Phased Development
· DM10 Retail Development
· DM16 Provision of Recreational Open Space for Residential Developments
3) The Core Strategy Policies set out below would be considered at the next meeting of the Task Group
· CS09 Housing
· CS10 The Economy
· CS11 Transportation
· CS12 Environmental Assets
· CS13 Community and Culture
Supporting documents:
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