Agenda item - Chairman's Communications

36.1    The Chairman reported that a report from the Enforcement Team would be coming to the next meeting regarding the performance of the team over the last year.

36.2    The Chairman introduced Liz Hobden from the Planning Policy Team to discuss new changes to national planning policy.

36.3    Ms Hoben stated that a briefing note would be circulated to Members regarding changes to the housing targets and the Regional Spatial Strategy. There was a clear intention from the government to abolish the South East Plan and this would have implications on housing targets which would be locally rather than regionally set in future. She noted that Brighton & Hove had been historically good at meeting these targets. The Growth Point designated around Shoreham Harbour would change in status, but the Team were awaiting more details on this, and targets for gypsy and traveller sites would now be locally determined.

            Further changes to PPS3 included deletion of the nation minimum density targets, but this would have less impact on Brighton & Hove as it was already a densely populated city. Garden land would no longer be considered as previously developed land and would now be defined as greenfield land. Within national policy (PPS3) there is no longer a presumption against building on greenfield land. Nor can gardens be treated as ‘open space’ within the definitions of policy HO20 that deals with protection or public and private outdoor recreation space. However, each planning application for garden development will need to be considered on its merits in the current planning policy framework but the changes will allow the city council to apply higher standards for design, retention of garden space, appropriate density standards and for meeting higher sustainability requirements.

36.4    Councillor Kennedy asked about the impact on the existing estate owned by the Council and Ms Hobden replied that the same considerations would remain as this was not classed as private garden land.

36.5    Councillor Cobb felt the briefing note seemed to contradict itself. The Solicitor to the Committee, Ms Woodward replied that the briefing note was a summary of the changes, but more detailed information was provided in section two which clarified the changes. The Head of Development Control, Ms Walsh added that a greater test would now apply to garden land, but if the application passed that test planning permission could be granted. The Chairman noted that the complete document was available to Members and available on the website for further consideration.

36.6    Councillor Davey asked about the implications for Shoreham Harbour and Ms Hobden replied that it was likely the South East Plan would be revoked rapidly and further guidance for these implications would be issued shortly to Members.