Agenda item

This report provides a summary of house building monitoring information to the year ending 31 March 2022.

The Committee considered the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management’s report outlining the latest monitoring figures on housing completions and projections to year ending March 2022 and addressed the implications of the declining five year land supply which is now an annual requirement, under the Government’s standard method of 946 homes per year which had a consequence to the council’s supply position.   

Members noted the housing net completions summarised in the table on paragraph 2.2 of the report that showed a relatively good supply figure running from 2017/18 to 2021/22 even during the Covid-19.  They also noted that the projected housing completions in the table at paragraph 2.4 had dropped in 2025 to 2026 to 745 and 2026 to 2027 to 655 which was significantly below the 946 homes required which shows at present the council cannot show a five year land supply, which already takes into account the 5% buffer.  The current position shows a position of 4.68 years.

The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management addressed the consequences for not having a five year land supply and Members noted in effect it meant that development constraint policies such as built-up area boundaries can no longer carry full weight and that applications that are outside of these areas and are not compliant with the Local Plan should be approved if they constitute sustainable development.  This would leave some settlements vulnerable, particularly the western part of the district.  Members also noted that the updated NPPF now takes into account the role of the neighbourhood plans which if made two years ago or less could carry significant weight and effectively protect the council’s position for bolstering the supply chain.

Comments during discussion included:

·       Well done to the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management and Team keeping to the housing supply numbers.  It has been a challenge.

·       Clarification sought on the figures in the projected housing completion table in paragraph 2.4 when they are so far ahead of time.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised the figures were based on what had been granted alongside information from the developers about what is likely to come forward.

·       A suggestion was made in relation to the figure for the completion of properties to refer to the Building Regulations Department for the figures.  It was advised this would not be a reliable source due to operating in a competitive market with approved inspectors.

·       Reference was made to paragraph 7 jobs and employment land monitoring and clarification sought about when this would be delivered.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised that all resources were currently focussed on the Local Plan but when it goes out to consultation officers would commit to producing a employment land monitoring report;

·       Clarification was sought about what protection the council would have for not having a five year land supply.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management referred Members to paragraph 5 of the report and the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

In conclusion, Members noted the following:

1.     The Housing Land supply position and its implications.

2.     The residential dwellings completion data and future projections for the district.

3.     The Housing Monitoring Update will be published on the Council’s website.