Issue - items at meetings - Housing Duty to Co-Operate Study

Report of the Executive Director of Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

RESOLVED - That the Committee:-

(1) Endorses the Housing Duty to Co-Operate Study as a supporting evidence document for the City Plan; and.

(2) Endorses consultation with adjoining authorities under the requirements for Duty to Cooperate

12.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Environment, Development and Housing setting out details in relation to the Housing Study (Duty to Cooperate) which had been commissioned by the Local authorities of Adur, Arun, Brighton and Hove, Chichester, Lewes and Worthing within the Coastal West Sussex Housing Market Area (HMA) together with the South Downs National Park Authority.

12.2    The Head of Planning and Public Protection explained that the study had been prepared in view of the duty to cooperate introduced by the 2011 Localism Act. The study pulled together evidence from a range of studies to provide a consistent and objective assessment of housing requirements in each authority across the sub region, addressing the need and demand for market and affordable housing. Good design which was sensitive to its surroundings was a key factor, particularly when the proposed development was of high density.

12.3    Councillor Fitch stated that he  was disappointed that the report did not include reference to the creation on a new town, he thought this was represented an important opportunity and should be actively explored.

12.4    The Head of Planning and Public  Protection stated that whilst this issue did not fall within the area covered by this study that did not preclude discussions taking place in the appropriate forum.

12.5    Councillor Morgan stated that he understood that the area proposed for the potential new town fell partially within Mid Sussex, just outside the boundaries of the national park and in close proximity to Horsham. Notwithstanding its location he considered it was important for the Council to formulate a view.

12.6    Councillor Hawtree stated that it was important for buildings to be appropriate to their surroundings, for instance the bungalows in the Hove Park area were sympathetic to their location.

12.7         RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee endorses the Housing Duty to Co-operate Study as a supporting evidence document for the City Plan; and

(2) Endorses consultation with adjoining authorities under the requirements for Duty to cooperate.