Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Purpose of report

To seek Member endorsement for a four week public consultation on a Draft Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

 1.1        To approve the Draft Developer Contributions SPD (Appendices 1 and 2) for a four week public consultation.

1.2         To authorise the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the Draft Developer Contributions SPD (Appendices 1 and 2) before formal consultation commences.

Resolved

(1)          That the Draft Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be approved for a four week public consultation.

(2)          That the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy be authorised to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the Draft Developer Contributions SPD before formal consultation commences.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report to seek Member endorsement for a four week public consultation on a Draft Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Resolved

(1)          That the Draft Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be approved for a four week public consultation.

(2)          That the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy be authorised to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the Draft Developer Contributions SPD before formal consultation commences.

Reasons

Once adopted and subject to consultation the Developer Contributions SPD will set out the package of contributions or obligations expected to come forward from development proposals to mitigate the impact of development and help fund infrastructure needed to support growth. It is not intended to provide all the funding needed but could help maximise resource income which would otherwise not be available.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not consulting on the proposed document

The current Draft Planning Obligations SPD (July 2011) is now out of date, it carries little weight in decision making and its continued use will potentially make it more difficult for the Council to secure S106 developer contributions in the future.  Not progressing the new SPD will create uncertainty about the Council’s requirements for developer contributions.

Option 2: Amending the proposed documents

The document proposed for consultation has been prepared having regard to national policy and guidance, the responses received to previous public consultation, informal engagement with key stakeholders, and updated development evidence. It is considered by officers that it presents an appropriate balance between ensuring that ‘as a whole’ the economic viability of development proposals is not detrimentally affected and the desire to fund infrastructure.

Proceeding to consultation will provide a further opportunity for stakeholders and members of the public to address matters formally and inform the preparation of document.