Agents and Developers Forum

21st May 2014

Agenda1. Welcome and Introductions2. Proposed changes to S1063. CIL update4. Site Allocations DPD and Neighbourhood Plans update5. Staff changes6. Planning Practice Guidance March 20147. GPDO/Changes of use April 20148. Planned GPDO review9. Proposed national space standard for new homes10. Listed buildings and lawful use11. SuDS update12. Housing Infrastructure Funding 13. Q&A

Proposed Changes to Section 106 • On 6th May, the Council brought S106 policy into line with

proposed government changes to S106 and recent reforms to CIL

• no S106 to be applied to residential extensions, annexes and self build housing in line with CIL

• Exemptions apply where the proposal is to be built and occupied by the applicant as their sole or main residence

• Exemptions apply to new and current applications under negotiations for which the decision notice not yet issued

Proposed Changes to Section 106 • Applicants now requested to make clear in planning

application that it forms an exempt form of development

• Where applicable, contributions still required towards affordable housing, although this is to be reviewed following conclusion of proposed government changes looking at no S106 affordable housing contribution for developments under 10 dwellings

• Applicants for self build housing exemption must own and occupy dwelling for three years after completed

• Applicants will be required to complete a legal agreement with the Council – to be available on website shortly

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) • Preliminary CIL charging schedule and Infrastructure list to

be published May/June 2013

• Council will be required to prepare and adopt a charging schedule by 2015 setting out the infrastructure that will need to be funded and the charges that will apply

• Future stages of proposed consultation: o Draft CIL charging schedule consultation in Sept/Nov

2014 and public examination May 2015o CIL adoption – July/August 2015

• To review and replace SPD on Planning Obligations and Developer Contributions approved by the Council in 2010.

Site Allocations & Policies DPD

• identifying and allocating specific sites for development

• providing more detailed planning policies to be used in decisions on planning applications

• Awaiting Inspectors report – anticipated May/June

• Adoption in July/August 2014

• Replace remaining policies of the Rutland Local Plan (2001) (e.g. EN26 Development in the Countryside)

Neighbourhood Plans

• allow local communities (e.g. parish councils) to prepare their own “Neighbourhood Plans” (NPs)

• plans will need to conform with the statutory development plan

• subject to approval through local referendums

• Council have duty to assist with their preparation and adopt them

• Same weight as Local Plan documents once adopted and take precedent over the Council’s Local Plan if any conflict between documents

Neighbourhood Plans (contd..)

• Uppingham NP - allocation of 170 houses and 3ha employment

• Inspector’s report due May 2014

• Edith Weston NP - Referendum 3rd April – 92% in favour of adopting NP. Going to Full Council for adoption in June 2014

• Langham, Cottesmore and Greetham NP area designations

Staff changesDepartures Eze Ekeledo

Sue Hall

Helen Wilson moved from Policy to replace Eze in DC

Mark Longhurst is now the Enforcement Officer to replace Sue

Brett Culpin now deals with S106 matters

Shaza Mark has replaced Helen in the Policy team

Planning Practice Guidance March 2014

http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/

Taylor Review 2012 Published in March Web based only – no paper version Replaces Circulars, Good Practice Guides, Minerals Guidance and

Letters to Chief Planning Officers Work in progress Can sign up for updates 700 pages and will grow

GPDO/Changes of use April 2014

A lot of changes. The more significant are:

o Class CA allows shop to change to a deposit takero Class IA allows shops (A1) and Offices (A2) to change to

residentialo Class K allows buildings from a range of uses to be nurserieso Class MA allows agricultural buildings to be schools or nurserieso Class MB allows agricultural buildings to change to residential.

But look out for conditions in the Order and in many cases the need for prior notification applications.

Planned GPDO review

Review promised in Budget Statement.

Potential changes mentioned are:

Changes of use of warehouses and some other uses to dwellings More flexibility on businesses to expand car parks and loading bays Expanding Class A1 to include all uses in A2 except pay day lenders and betting shops.

Proposed national space standard for new homes

Government announcement in March following consultation.

Intention to scrap Lifetime Homes, Secure by Design, HCA standards, Code for Sustainable Homes etc.

Will be mandatory standards through Building Regulations.

Councils will have options to apply higher standards through the Building Regulations.

There will also be a new national space standard in planning if the Council satisfies certain criteria.

Introduction proposed early in 2015.

Listed buildings and lawful use

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/552/pdfs/uksi_20140552_en.pdf

New LB regulations came into effect on 6.4.14.

They introduce a new application type for certificates of lawfulness for proposed works to listed buildings

SuDS update

Was to be introduced last month.

It wasn’t.

May now be introduced this October?

Await Government decision.

Housing Infrastructure Fund

• £525 million Government Funds for small schemes of 15 – 250 homes to bring forward development on stalled sites

• Funding in the form of a recoverable loan plus interest

• Bids from private sector to HCA for schemes with outline planning permission to be submitted by 25 June 2014

• Further information on eligibility criteria on DCLG website

• https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-investment-to-help-smaller-housing-schemes-get-britain-building

Q & A