Apologies were received from Councillor Roome from North Devon Council (NDC) and Councillor James from Torridge District Council (TDC). Councillor Leather was present as a substitute for Councillor James.

Chair reviewed the minutes of the meeting with members page by page.

It was proposed by Councillor Bell, seconded by Councillor Walker and –

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd March 2024 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

(Vote: Agreed 9, Abstentions 1)

To consider the Forward Plan (attached).

The item was deferred to the next meeting.

There was no Part B item.

Please telephone the Corporate and Community Services team to prepare a form for your signature before the meeting). Interests must be re-declared when the item is called. A declaration of interest under the Code of Conduct will be a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, an Other Registrable Interest or a Non-Registrable Interest.  If the item directly relates to your interest you must declare the interest and leave the room for the item, save in the case of Other Registrable Interests or Non-Registrable Interests where you may first speak on the item as a member of the public if provision has been made for the public to speak.  If the matter does not directly relate to your interest but still affects it then you must consider whether you are affected to a greater extent than most people and whether a reasonable person would consider your judgement to be clouded, if you are then you must leave the room for the item (although you may speak as a member of the public if provision has been made for the public to speak) or, if you are not, then you can declare the interest but still take part).

Members with interests to declare were reminded to refer to the Agenda item and describe the nature of the interest when the item was being considered.

No items.

Report by the Senior Planning Policy Officer (NDC) (attached).

The Planning Policy Team Leader (TDC) introduced the report, the purpose of which was to set out the draft response to the Government Consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system.

Member were advised that the response had been draft by various officers from both District Councils, taking into account views previously provided by Members and that today’s meeting was an opportunity for Members to review the draft consultation response, request any further additions, before providing their endorsement for it to be submitted prior to the deadline on Tuesday 24^th September.

A presentation providing the details of the proposed changes and consultation response was provided to Members of the Committee.

The Planning Policy Team Leader and Planning Manager for TDC provided an overview of the proposed changes and provided additional detail on the possible implications for both Local Authority areas, highlighting the proposed response and providing additional context for further clarity.

Below follows a summary of the questions and relevant discussion on each of the areas:

Changes to the Standard Method

The formulas currently used and the proposed changes were highlighted for Members, along with the consequences of the proposed requirements for northern Devon per annum and in the longer term.

It was asked what happens to housing that is already allocated but is not yet built, and whether this would this be included in the numbers highlighted in the presentation?  The Planning Policy Team Leader advised that any outstanding housing as of the start date of the new local plan could potentially be included, so long as they were not completed as of that start date.

Housing evidence for the last local plan showed a greater demand for Torridge that North Devon – the figures in the presentation seem to show a switch in this and it was asked how this was worked out. The Planning Policy Team Leader advised this change was based on a switch from the previous household projections to the housing stock in the new formula – North Devon has a proportionally higher housing stock so the new method takes this into account – and went on the explain the reasoning behind this.

In follow up it was asked, going forward and doing a joint Local Plan, what impact the ratio would have in how the 2 councils go ahead with distributing growth. When deciding on new town urban extensions and growth to local centres and bigger villages, does the distribution need to consider these ratios?

The Planning Policy Team Leader advised that a starting point would need to be understanding what the needs are for each Local Authority however, the benefits of completing a Local Plan across northern Devon and the scope for planning more holistically  was noted. 

Members reflected that they felt the numbers were undeliverable and asked that this be reflected in the consultation response noting the potential impact for rural areas. The potential impact for tourism and agriculture were also highlighted,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

Report by the Senior Planning Policy Officer (NDC) and Planning Policy Team Leader (TDC) (attached).

The Planning Manager for Torridge District Council referred Members to the report, the purpose of which was to update the PID following a change in national Government.

Members were advised of the reasons for updating the PID and provided with a summary of the current state of play in relation to planning reforms and the possible implications in terms of the development of the Local Plan.

Members were referred to the Appendix 1, which detailed the current position and the Planning Manager provided a brief update on the position at the time of Committee.

Members were advised of the recommendations within the report and the following discussion took place.

Following a question in relation to whether the HELAA would identify sufficient land for development, the Planning Policy Team Leader advised that discussion had taken place and the option of re-opening up the call for sites should be considered / explored – given that there is the time and scope to do this.

Members asked about Traveller accommodation and officers advised of the current situation and advised that further guidance and clarification was still needed before work could be progressed.

During discussion it was suggested that Members meet to develop a broad outline to consider how the future housing requirements might be best met and an October date was suggested for a Visioning workshop which could feed into an Issues and Options document, whilst the HELAA process carries on. 

Following discussion on timescales Councillor Prowse moved the recommendations with the addition of a recommendation for a Member visioning workshop.

It was proposed by Councillor Prowse, seconded by Councillor Hodson and –

Resolved: That Members of the Joint Planning Policy Committee are recommended to:

1. Note the updated national plan-making context and associated potential impacts on the preparation of a new local plan for northern Devon; 
2. Reaffirm the commitment to preparing a new local plan for northern Devon under the proposed new plan-making system; and
3. Endorse the revised initial programme of work that is intended to be carried out over the coming months and in advance of the formal commencement of plan-making (Appendix 1). 

With the additional recommendation to hold a Member Visioning Workshop to feed into the preparation of an Issues and Options document.