Agenda item

This report seeks Members approval of the draft interim guidance note: East Devon – First Homes.

The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management presented the report that sought Members approval of the draft Interim Guidance Note: East Devon – First Homes introduced by Government for first time buyers with a household income of less than £80,000 per year.

The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management drew Members attention to the various options within the report and advised if Members were minded not to pursue the preferred options that delegated powers to amend the guidance notes would be needed to be sought to ensure its accuracy.

Discussions covered:

·         As a lot of developers challenge rural exception sites so there is a need to make policies robust and unchallengeable;  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management confirmed the policy on rural exception sites was robust and there were no issues to date

·         Reference was made to paragraph 1.3 and whether there were sufficient applicants to take up the offer of at least 25% affordable units as first homes.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development advised 25% was a Government requirement and advised he was happy to look into this but there was an assumption that this would be an attractive offer for those struggling to get onto the property ladder

·         There is a need to provide first homes in areas where there is growing economy;

·         It was questioned how to make developers make deliverable houses.  In response the Planning Barrister advised that Homes England had set up templates and guidance notes in relation to this.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management reassured Members that the Council was working on the processes for supporting this when the NPPF brings out the guidance and the framework for first homes.  He also advised about other local councils were participating in drafting legal agreements and monitoring;

·         It was questioned whether there were any comparisons to determine how this would fit within East Devon.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised all councils were in similar positions as this was a new type of affordable housing ownership product for first-time buyers and time will tell on how it would work.

·         Issues about cost recovery and whether councils would be able to enter into a fee agreement;

·         Reference was made to paragraph 3.7 and the balance between affordable housing delivery and its impact on Strategy 24 of the Local Plan.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised that guidance would be developed over time and would be incorporated into the new Local Plan

ROMMENDATION:

1.    Of approval of the draft Interim Guidance Note: East Devon – First Homes;

2.    Of agreement to delegate authority to the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management in consultant with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning to make any minor changes to finalise the Interim Guidance Note and to publish that document on the Council’s website.

3.    Of agreement to delegate authority to the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management to authorise the use of the Interim Guidance Note: East Devon – First Homes for development management purposes from the date of publication of the Note.

DECISION:

The recommendation was approved by a Senior Officer.  The Senior Officer Decision is listed above under Additional Documents.