Minutes:
The following question was received:
Question:
Councillor Rachel Eburne to Councillor Glen Horn
“At a recent appeal inquiry (for application 2112/16) the Five Year Housing Land Supply figures were discussed. The appellant argued that the figure should be 3.5 years and the Council’s witness, 5.39 years.
Given the Council has recently submitted a Five Year Housing Land Supply figure of 6.5 years, please can you advise what these appeal figures mean in this context and whether they will impact the current submitted figure.”
Response from Councillor Horn
“In the email Tom Barker sent to All Councillors on 11th July the final paragraph explained that a briefing would be provided on the 20th July. This email also explained that “At this briefing Officers will be able to talk through the five-year position and its implications for decision-taking and should also be able to provide an update on the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) by this time and discuss any implications of this on the five-year supply position.” The briefing was held on 20th July and Councillors were advised that the publication of the new NPPF would have implications because of its introduction of a new Standard Methodology for calculating Local Housing Need. Councillors were also advised that the figures would be challenged and that was likely to happen at the first appeal to be heard, which was on the site you mention at Woolpit. As well as this, Councillors were advised that the supply position was expected to drop based on the standard method but that officers considered it likely that the Council would still be able to demonstrate a supply.
Officers are taking external advice on the implications of the Inquiry for future decision-taking but it is also important to recognise that this is a dynamic issue. New household projections are due to be published later this month which will have an impact on the annual requirement. We also expect a further consultation on the standard method in the Autumn which may change the figure again. At present it is too early to provide advice on this point but further communication will be provided in the coming weeks.
The important thing is that we continue to focus on delivery. We know we have granted a lot of permissions but we need to see them come forward through detailed applications and start delivering the homes our communities need. I am working hard with Officers to ensure this emphasis runs through our policy-making, our approach to decision-taking and through the ways that we help unlock infrastructure and other issues.”
Councillor Eburne hoped she would hear back in relation to the external advice which had been taken. She then asked a supplementary question as to how many were getting being reviewed and whether a timetable had been put in place?
Councillor Horn gave assurance that the Five Year Land Supply was being closely monitored and would be reported to all members. He would keep all members updated. In relation to the external advice this had not raised any concerns and was not causing a significant impact.