Agenda item

Verbal report.

The Background Presentation about Planning Policy/Strategic Planning was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Planning and presented by the Planning Policy Manager.

It was outlined that Planning in England was policy led comprising of national policy and guidance, local policy, and neighbourhood policies. This framework requires a Statutory Development Plan consisting of the following four key components:

-       Local Plan (2011-36),

-       Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (LMWLP),

-       Neighbourhood Planning,

-       Supplementary Planning Documents.

With these fundamental components in mind, the presentation detailed the 2011-36 Local Plan which encapsulated the vision and framework for South Kesteven’s future development until 2036. This Plan proposed locations for sustainable growth and investment, confirmed policies for individual development proposals, established key guiding principles, and protected key areas and open countryside from inappropriate development.

During discussions, Members commented on the following:

-       The impact that the national planning framework would have upon the open countryside within the district. It was confirmed that the development was steered towards the towns and larger villages within the Local Plan. However, additional land would need to be sourced within the scope of the Plan to meet the Local Plan’s building targets. The Assistant Director of Planning confirmed that there were site assessments as part of the process for determining a development site but conceded that whilst developing rural areas was a difficult decision, development needed to go somewhere.

-       It was confirmed that the Local Plan would take precedence over Neighbourhood Plans because it was the most recently updated document.

-       A Member suggested engaging with Parish Councils during the planning process given their knowledge of the local areas.

-       It was noted by a Member that they were receiving numerous approaches regarding development opportunities within their ward, both employment and residential. However, the residential development approach was regarding an area where planning permission was previously rejected due to being on a flood plain. It was noted by the Assistant Director of Planning that further planning approaches were likely to continue and possibly increase given the central government’s proposed planning reform.

-       Clarity was sought about the scope and process of enforcement in respect of developers. It was confirmed that enforcement notices were served as a draconian last resort following investigations. Between October 2023 – September 2024, 42% of all cases investigated found there to be no breaches, 27% received subsequent planning permissions and 17% were voluntarily resolved, highlighting the low proportion of enforcement notices served.

-       It was noted that cash flow issues with developers could have a knock-on effect on SKDC’s planning matters.

-       It was queried whether the garden villages proposed outside of Grantham would be classified as being independent from Grantham.. This raised the question of whether the houses would count towards the housebuilding targets for villages or for Grantham. It was confirmed that the Vistry site did not fit within the special strategy that SKDC Planning needed to adhere to as it was not under the Grantham housing allocation.   

-       Given that the Local Plan covered the provisions of both employment and residential allocations, it was queried whether it contained provisions for matters such as green spaces, sports fields or solar farms. It was confirmed that the Local Plan did not contain exclusive provisions for the examples given but there was an open space provision within the Local Plan in the context of developments.

-       It was confirmed that Members would be updated regarding National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) changes in the New Year once SKDC had liaised with external consultants.

The Committee noted the background presentation about Planning Policy/Strategic Planning.