Agenda item

To consider motions from councillors in accordance with Council procedure rule 38. 

(1)      Motion to be proposed by Councillor Alison Jenner, seconder to be notified:

This Council notes:

The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future, falsely frames the problem in housing supply as an issue resulting from council limitations.

·         That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go ahead by local authority planning committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications.

·         That research by the Local Government Association has said that there are existing planning permissions for more than one million homes that have not yet been started.

·         As of the 1 April 2020 there is permission for 10,843 (or full permission for 5,055 number) homes in the Vale that have not yet been built. Construction has only started on site for 40% of these (or equivalent 85% for those with full permission).

This Council is concerned that the proposals in the White Paper seek to:

·         Reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them.

·         Grant automatic rights for developers to build on land identified as ‘for growth’.

·         Remove section 106 payments for infrastructure and their replacement with a national levy.

This Council further notes:

·         The Royal Institute for British Architects called the proposals ‘shameful and which will do almost nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes’. RIBA also said that proposals could lead to the next generation of slum housing.      

·         The Local Government Association and District Councils Network are both working on responses to reflect the serious concerns raised by their member councils from across the country.  

 This Council believes:

·         That existing planning procedures, as currently administered by our own team in Vale of White Horse, allow for local democratic control over future development, and give local people a say in planning proposals that affect them.

·         That proposals for automatic rights to build in ‘growth’ areas, and increased permitted development rights, risk unregulated growth and unsustainable communities.

·         That local communities must be in the driving seat on shaping the future of their communities, and local determination of the planning framework and planning applications play an important part in this process.

This Council resolves to:

1.  Take part in the consultation in the planning proposals, and to make representations against the proposals in the areas outlined in this motion.

2.  Write to both of our Members of Parliament explaining the position of Council on these proposals, urging them to support the intentions of this motion by objecting, where necessary to those proposals, and for any reply from them to be placed on the council’s website.

3.  Highlight its concerns over these proposals with the public and local residents.

Councillor Alison Jenner moved, and Councillor Paul Barrow seconded the motion as set out in the agenda at agenda item 21

Whilst the majority of councillors supported the motion, the view was expressed that the changes would retain a role for local authorities and that the proposed infrastructure levy would benefit smaller developers.  

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 67, which provides for a recorded vote if three members request one, the chair called for a recorded vote on the motion which was declared carried with the voting as follows:

RESOLVED:

That Council notes:

The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future, falsely frames the problem in housing supply as an issue resulting from council limitations.

·         That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go ahead by local authority planning committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications.

·         That research by the Local Government Association has said that there are existing planning permissions for more than one million homes that have not yet been started.

·         As of the 1 April 2020 there is permission for 10,843 (or full permission for 5,055 number) homes in the Vale that have not yet been built. Construction has only started on site for 40% of these (or equivalent 85% for those with full permission).

That this Council is concerned that the proposals in the White Paper seek to:

·         Reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them.

·         Grant automatic rights for developers to build on land identified as ‘for growth’.

·         Remove section 106 payments for infrastructure and their replacement with a national levy.

That this Council further notes:

·         The Royal Institute for British Architects called the proposals ‘shameful and which will do almost nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes’. RIBA also said that proposals could lead to the next generation of slum housing.      

·         The Local Government Association and District Councils Network are both working on responses to reflect the serious concerns raised by their member councils from across the country.  

 That this Council believes:

·         That existing planning procedures, as currently administered by our own team in Vale of White Horse, allow for local democratic control over future development, and give local people a say in planning proposals that affect them.

·         That proposals for automatic rights to build in ‘growth’ areas, and increased permitted development rights, risk unregulated growth and unsustainable communities.

·         That local communities must be in the driving seat on shaping the future of their communities, and local determination of the planning framework and planning applications play an important part in this process.

Resolves to:

1.  Take part in the consultation in the planning proposals, and to make representations against the proposals in the areas outlined in this motion.

2.  Write to both of our Members of Parliament explaining the position of Council on these proposals, urging them to support the intentions of this motion by objecting, where necessary to those proposals, and for any reply from them to be placed on the council’s website.

3.  Highlight its concerns over these proposals with the public and local residents.