Decision details

A report was presented on the Housing and Planning Bill published in October 2015 and currently passing through Parliamentary procedures.

The Bill included a number of measures that would have implications for development management and other planning procedures. The Committee was advised that the Government had launched a technical consultation on how the provisions in the Bill would be implemented. The report detailed these provisions and explained possible implications for development management practice.

The Committee raised concerns with regard to a number of proposed changes and in particular the proposed planning application fees process, the expansion of the approach to planning performances, the introduction of competition in the processing of planning applications and the relaxation of permitted development rights for schools.  It was felt that the proposals would affect the fundamentals of the planning system and reduce the quality of the planning process.

Following further debate it was Moved and Seconded that:

"The Head of Service be requested to write to the Government to oppose the introduction of competition in the processing of planning applications and the relaxation of existing permitted development rights for schools".

On being put to the vote the Motion was Carried unanimously, whereupon it was:

Resolved: The Head of Service be requested to write to the Government to oppose the introduction of competition in the processing of planning applications and the relaxation of existing permitted development rights for schools.