Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Emergency Planning.

Decision

That the response to the consultation questions, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report to Cabinet – 10 September 2024, be submitted to Government by the 24 September deadline. The suggested responses included support for many of the proposals, but concern about the effects of the increased housing targets for Dorset.

Reason for the decision

The proposed changes could support the council’s strategic priorities of driving economic prosperity and creating sustainable development and housing, but the significant increase in housing targets was likely to conflict with the aim of protecting the natural environment, climate and ecology, due to the environmental constraints of Dorset.

Introducing new targets so quickly would result in much development taking place as a result of the “presumption in favour of sustainable development” rather than through the more strategic plan-led approach.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Emergency Planning presented a report along with its recommendations, detailing the ministerial statement that announced a consultation on proposed changes to the planning system, including revisions to the national planning policy framework (NPPF).

The proposed changes aimed to increase house building across the country. Targets would be mandatory rather than advisory and where they could not be met due to constraints, then the potential for neighbouring councils to meet them would be examined.

Members agreed that the proposed changes could support the council's strategic priorities to drive economic prosperity and create sustainable development and housing. However, the significant increase in housing targets was likely to conflict with the aim of protecting the natural environment, due to the environmental constraints of Dorset. There were also concerns that introducing the new targets so quickly would result in much development taking place because of the “presumption in favour of sustainable development” rather than through the more strategic plan-led approach.

Members were asked to support the proposed response to the consultation.  The recommendation was seconded by Cllr R Holloway.

Whilst the report acknowledged concerns around these proposed changes, a few non-executive members questioned if the council’s response was sufficiently robust, especially considering the proposed doubling of housing targets in the Dorset area. 

In reply, the Executive Lead for Place confirmed that the response made it clear that the targets were not realistic, partly because of the environmental constraints, but also because it was unlikely that the market would build at that level.

However, the council would need to explore all options as part of developing the local plan, but acknowledging that the scale of these targets was unrealistic and likely to be unachievable. It was further advised that this was the formal council response, but local councillors could also make their concerns known as part of the consultation process.

Further concerns were raised about the planning system, particularly regarding developers fulfilling their obligations once planning permission was granted. In response, the Executive Lead for Place stated that comments not directly related to the consultation questions could be included in a covering letter as part of the consultation response.

Decision

That the response to the consultation questions, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report to Cabinet – 10 September 2024, be submitted to Government by the 24 September deadline. The suggested responses included support for many of the proposals, but concern about the effects of the increased housing targets for Dorset.

Reason for the decision

The proposed changes could support the council’s strategic priorities of driving economic prosperity and creating sustainable development and housing, but the significant increase in housing targets was likely to conflict with the aim of protecting the natural environment, climate and ecology, due to the environmental constraints of Dorset.

Introducing new targets so quickly would result in much development taking place as a result of the “presumption in favour of sustainable development” rather than through the more strategic plan-led approach.