Agenda item

To consider the approach to non-strategic allocations in ‘Larger Villages’.

The Planning Policy Manager reported on the emerging approach to non-strategic allocations in ‘Larger Villages’. He explained that the Settlement Hierarchy was previously based on Parish data, rather than settlement data, however this had now been revised due to consultation feedback from Parish councils. As a result, some Larger Villages would be recategorised lower down the hierarchy.

It was recommended that a range of sites of different sizes be provided in order for the Local Plan to demonstrate housing delivery in the short and medium term until larger sites had begun to deliver later in the plan period. It was proposed that this be through non-strategic sites within Neighbourhood Plans. 

Members discussed the revised approach and the following was noted:

·         Within the Regulation 18 Local Plan, 13 Larger Villages had been identified. This number was likely to be lower at Regulation 19, based on the consultation feedback from residents and Parishes.

·         Infrastructure and amenities would be measured by the settlement, rather than parish, in order to more accurately pinpoint where housing would be best placed.

·         Any Neighbourhood Plan adopted would need to be in conformity with the policies of the Local Plan. If a Neighbourhood Plan had failed to be adopted within the first 5 years of the plan period, then the Council would take control of the housing numbers.

·         The NPPF seeks a housing figure to be provided within any Neighbourhood Plan. As smaller settlements would not be allocated any housing numbers in the Local Plan, any housing they propose in  Neighbourhood Plans would contribute to housing numbers expected to be created by a number of non-strategic, smaller sites (windfalls).

·         A Neighbourhood Plan may give Parishes greater flexibility as to how non-strategic housing would be delivered. However, this must also demonstrate compliance with the Local Plan’s strategic housing figures which have been allocated within the area. 

·         The Housing Numbers were based off commitments in 2023, so there was a possibility that there would be a reduction in allocation numbers within larger and smaller villages.

·         Smaller villages could produce a joint Neighbourhood Plan together, providing there was agreement and some commonalty which joined them together.

·         Neighbourhood Plans did not need to be long, complicated documents or a duplication of Local Plan and national policies. It could be very simple with a small number of policies to address local issues.

·         There was support available for Parishes interested in producing a Neighbourhood Plan, including from the Rural Community Council of Essex, as well as funding from DLUHC.

·         It was beneficial to have the majority of a Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group made up of residents, rather than Parish Councillors, in order to draw on the expertise of the community.

·         Neighbourhood Plans could be successful in defending Planning decisions. For example, the Newport, Quendon and Rickling Plan had defended 13 appeals in only two years.

Officers confirmed that they were meeting with Parishes to discuss the development of Neighbourhood Plans. To date, many of these had been successful and the Council had been able to offer further assistance; for example, to help Debden Parish Council apply for grant funding following their designation as a Neighbourhood Plan area.

Meeting ended at 20:27