Issue - meetings

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director Enterprise, Community and Resources, on the Government consultation on the current planning system and the potential implications this could have for development in Halton. The Ministries of Housing, Communities and Local Government was consulting on shorter term changes to planning policy and regulations in addition to the more fundamental reform to the planning system as set out in the Planning for the Future White Paper. The Government had set out proposals to improve the effectiveness of the current planning system. These covered:

·         The standard method for assessing housing for local plans;

·         Delivering first homes;

·         S106 and small site – to temporarily increase the threshold below which developers do not need to contribute to affordable housing to up to 40 to 50 units for an 18 month period; and

·         Proposals to increase the threshold for Permission in Principle by application.

            RESOLVED: That

1.    the report be noted; and

2.    consideration be given to the proposals together with any response the Board may wish to provide to the consultation.