Decision details

Decision details

Proposed Permitted Development Rights - Consultation response

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

Proposed response to the government consultation on new permitted development rights to allow change of use from a wide range of commercial, business and service uses to residential

Decisions:

Cabinet received a report of the Head of Planning and Development and a draft response to the permitted development rights consultation. 

 

The Mayor noted that the subject was a highly contentious area in planning.  He invited Councillor Sharpe, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, to introduce the report.

 

Councillor Sharpe stated that the government was continually changing the planning system and making it easier for developers to carry out developments with less control for the local authority.  The current consultation followed Use Classes Order changes.  Previously schemes allowed under permitted development rights were minor changes and had little impact on the environment.  The new proposals were significant changes.  It would be a lot easier for land owners to change commercial uses into residential uses.

 

Councillor Sharpe said that the council was in favour of more residential properties into the Town Centre, but it needed to be carried out in a planned way.  It should not undermine the local economy.  Any article 4 directions for employment and business districts would need to be re-done.  This would enable a gap when owners could create poor quality residential environments and no financial contributions to offset impacts of the development.  In his opinion, this proposal by the government undermined the planning system.

 

The Mayor commented that this was an important issue and had an impact on the vibrancy of the Town Centre and an impact on office availability.

 

The Head of Planning and Development added that the final draft of the Local Plan had just been launched.  The proposal undermined the approach in the draft Local Plan.

 

Councillor Bell advised that he was concerned about unplanned changes in the Town Centre and then Clarendon Road.  He agreed with the majority of the report and the draft response.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.         that Cabinet approves the draft consultation report, set out in Appendix A to the report, for issue to the Secretary of State.

 

2.         that Cabinet delegates authority to the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development to approve any minor amendments that may be required.

Report author: Ben Martin

Publication date: 27/01/2021

Date of decision: 18/01/2021

Decided at meeting: 18/01/2021 - Cabinet

Accompanying Documents:

 

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