Agenda item

Report of Assistant Director Planning and Development

Purpose of report

To seek approval for publication the 2024 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) which includes a housing land supply update (December 2024).

To seek approval of the accompanying updates to the Local Plan’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan and Brownfield Land Register update (December 2024).

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To approve the 2024 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) presented at Appendix 1 including a Housing Land Supply Statement and a 2023/24 Infrastructure Delivery Plan update for publication.

1.2           To approve the 2023/24 Brownfield Land Register presented at Appendix 2 for publication.

1.3           To instruct the Assistant Director Planning and Development to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management.

1.4           To authorise the Assistant Director Planning and Development to approve the final presentation of the AMR and Brownfield Land Register and to make any necessary minor administrative amendments and corrections to them prior to formal publication and in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management.

Resolved

(1)          That the 2024 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) (Appendix 1 to the report) including a Housing Land Supply Statement and a 2023/24 Infrastructure Delivery Plan update be approved for publication.

(2)          That the 2023/24 Brownfield Land Register (Appendix 2 to the report) be approved for publication.

(3)          That the Assistant Director Planning and Development be instructed to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management.

(4)          That the Assistant Director Planning and Development be authorised to approve the final presentation of the AMR and Brownfield Land Register and to make any necessary minor administrative amendments and corrections to them prior to formal publication and in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management.

The Assistant Director Planning and Development submitted a report to seek approval for publication the 2024 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) which included a housing land supply update (December 2024). The report also sought approval of the accompanying updates to the Local Plan’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan and Brownfield Land Register update (December 2024).

In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development explained that the most significant conclusions were that Cherwell continued to deliver homes and employment land, albeit fewer homes than in recent years, and affordable housing completions had increased. The Council could not  however, now demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing land and the preparation of an action plan to assist housing delivery was recommended. 

In response to comments from Executive members, the Leader of the Opposition and Councillor Chapman, the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development explained that the increase in local housing need was due to the Government revising the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the standard method in December 2024 and confirmed the importance of the Local Plan being submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as soon as possible.

The Housing Delivery Action Plan work would include consideration of developments with planning permission that were not being progressed and infrastructure issues and there would be opportunity for all Members to have input. Additionally, at its 28 January 2025 meeting, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) had requested that the Action Plan be submitted to a future OSC meeting.  

Resolved

(1)            That the 2024 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) including a Housing Land Supply Statement and a 2023/24 Infrastructure Delivery Plan update be approved for publication.

(2)            That the 2023/24 Brownfield Land Register be approved for publication.

(3)            That the Assistant Director Planning and Development be instructed to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management.

(4)            That the Assistant Director Planning and Development be authorised to approve the final presentation of the AMR and Brownfield Land Register and to make any necessary minor administrative amendments and corrections to them prior to formal publication and in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management.

Reasons

The Annual Monitoring Report provides important information to measure the effectiveness of planning policies and to assist policy making and development management decision making. It is the statutory mechanism for monitoring housing delivery.

Its most significant conclusions are that Cherwell continues to deliver homes and employment land, albeit fewer homes than in recent years. Affordable housing completions has increased. The Council cannot however, now demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing land and the preparation of an action plan to assist housing delivery is recommended.  

It is recommended that the AMR and Brownfield Land Register be approved for publication.

Alternative options

Option 1: Deferment to seek significant amendment of the: 2024 Annual Monitoring Report, Infrastructure Delivery Plan or Brownfield Land Register

Officers consider the documents to comprise robust factual reporting and updating against relevant indicators and requirements, supported by data and research. Members are therefore asked to consider amendment through delegation and consultation with the Portfolio Holder should they consider significant changes to be necessary.

Option 2: Not to approve the documents for publication

Production of an Authorities Monitoring Report is a statutory requirement and the AMR’s wider information supports the Local Plan implementation and review. Updating the Brownfield Land Register is also a statutory requirement. The Infrastructure Delivery Plan is required to monitor and support delivery of the adopted Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 and its Partial Review.