To agree how regard should normally be had to the changes to national planning policy in decision-taking.

Decision

That the approach set out in the report of 16 August 2016 in relation to the changes to national policy on affordable housing, be endorsed, including, in appropriate circumstances:

·         for applications to which local plan policy HOUS1 and new national policy and guidance on affordable housing relate, officers normally attaching very considerable weight to the provisions in new national policy and guidance.

·         Officers normally applying or recommending the application of the thresholds in national policy and guidance below which affordable housing should not be sought, including officers applying, or recommending the application of, a different threshold in ‘rural areas’ described under Section 157(1) of the Housing Act 1985; and

·         Officers normally applying or recommending the application of vacant building credit in accordance with national policy and guidance.