Agenda item

 8         The Committee received a report which provided an update on recent and     ongoing consultations by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and   Communities (DLUHC) on changes to planning fees and performance               monitoring, permitted development rights, future changes to the current CIL      and S106 regimes and the replacement of Environmental Impact                         Assessments with Environmental Outcome Reports.

8.1      During discussion, the following points were made: -

8.1.1   Members welcomed the prospective increase in the fees for late applications        and noted that this would act as a deterrent. They supported the incentives in     place for retrofit developments. Members were reminded that applications     fees were set nationally and that the Councils’ discretionary fees were             consistent with other comparable London Local Planning Authorities. The         Committee agreed that fees should be linked to inflation.

8.1.2   The Committee noted that the Council’s consultation response had suggested

additional fees be included for listed building consent and commented that this could discourage applicants from making suitable alterations to premises. Members noted that this area was currently non-funded and commented that Central Government should absorb the cost of these applications as the preservation of these historic buildings contributed to the country’s heritage.

8.1.3  Officers advised that Extension df Times (EOTs) were good tools which           provided opportunities for the prescribed timetabling periods for planning                decision to be extended where necessary. The Committee noted that these        increases in times allowed for revisions in applications to be made instead of             they being refused and this was beneficial and welcomed by applicants.             Officers advised that the set planning decision timetable could be unrealistic     and result in permissions being refused. The Committee noted that delayed           planning decisions had a financial implication for smaller developments and

that the Service was in communication with the development industry about the implications of time delays. These included detailing how additional planning conditions could have an impact on the commercial development. Officers commented that the planning regime had become more complex and volume of the documentation had increased, making assessment of many applications within the statutory timeframes more challenging.

8.1.4   Members noted that it was preferred for there to be some control over the      usage of permitted development rights in conservation areas such as the                   installation of solar equipment on the front façade of buildings. Officers           advised that these installations did not outweigh the harm which they would       have on these locations. Members commented that the streetscape of the       conservation areas would be adversely affected by their presence and this             view was likely to be shared by residents. The Committee advised that changes to financial incentives for these schemes were now limited and      requested that future feedback be provided on their take up. Members were             informed that central government was seeking to increase the amount of solar        roof equipment.

8.1.5    Members noted the importance of climate emergency and commented that

temporary permission for solar roof equipment’s should be considered as these would contribute to reaching environmental goals. The Committee noted that solar panels should be the last course of action when remediating buildings and focus should be on conserving energy rather than generating and this included building insulation. Members commented that the use of solar panels should also not be deterred.

8.1.6   That Neighbourhood Forums would continue to be consulted around the use       of the community infrastructure levy.

8.1.7   That the ‘right to acquire’ would continue to operate in accordance with the          Local Planning Authority Development Plan and this would guide the amount         of affordable housing stock that was required.

8.1.8   Officers informed that there were limited controls on when CIL payments are received and under the Central Governments Infrastructure Levy proposals           these sums may be received later then currently prescribed.

8.1.9   Members commented that there was widespread misuse of short term letting

            of residential properties in the city and that this was detrimental to residents        and the neighbourhoods. They agreed that restrictions in this usage       should be fully supported. Officers advised that there were current             consultations being undertaken with Licensing Services, resident and       community groups regarding short term lets.  

RESOLVED

Members noted the contents of the report, including the possible implications which they may have for planning decision making in Westminster.