Agenda item

(Report of the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Planning). The report seeks approval of the Planning Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) for publication on the Council’s website and approval to revoke certain supplementary planning guidance.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Planning, which sought approval of the Planning Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) for publication on the Council’s website and approval to revoke certain supplementary planning guidance.

Cabinet was advised that within the original report SPG 11b had been recommended to be revoked under 3.2 of the report; however, this should have been listed as being withdrawn under 3.4 of the report.

It was suggested that it would be useful to provide an explanation for members of the public as to where the provisions set out in the defunct documents would now sit.

RESOLVED:

      i.        That the Planning Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) be noted and approved for publication on the Council’s website.

    ii.        That approval be given to the revocation of the following supplementary planning guidance, pursuant to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and associated regulations:

Ø  SPG11b – Buildings Suitable for Community Use (2003)

Ø  Housing Supplementary Planning Document (2008)

Ø  Wood Green Town Centre Supplementary Planning Document (2008)

   iii.        That approval be given to an application to the Secretary of State for the revocation of the above mentioned guidance under section 25 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act.

   iv.        That approval be given to the withdrawal of the following guidance, pursuant to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and associated regulations:

Ø  SPG11b – Buildings Suitable for Community Use (2003)

Ø  SPG1ai – Major Applications Protocol (2004);

Ø  SPG1c – Strategic Views (2006);

Ø  SPG1d – Telecom Equipment, Including Satellite Dishes (2006);

Ø  SPG3c – Backland Development (2006);

Ø  SPG4 – Access for all, Mobility Standards (2006);

Ø  SPG5 – Safety by design (2006);

Ø  SPG6c – Restaurants, Hot Food Premises, Use Class A3 etc (2006);

Ø  SPG7b – Travel Plans (2006);

Ø  SPG7c – Transport Assessment (2006);

Ø  SPG8f – Land Contamination (2006);

Ø  SPG8h – Environmental Impact Assessment (2006);

Ø  SPG9 – Sustainability Statement Guidance Notes and Sustainability Checklist (2006);

Ø  SPG10e – Improvements to Public Transport Infrastructure and Services (2006);

Ø  SPG11a – Car repair workshops and garages (2006);

Ø  SPG18 – Town Centre Retail Thresholds (2004);

Ø  Basement Guidance Note (2012);

Ø  Tottenham International Development Framework Section 1 (2003);

Ø  Tottenham International Development Framework Section 2 (2003); and

Ø  Tottenham International Development Framework Section 3 (2003).

      v.            That it be noted that the following guidance would be withdrawn by a decision of the Assistant Director of Planning and Building Control:

Ø  Planning note on housing SP2: Housing

Alternation options considered

Planning Authority Monitoring Report

The Localism Act 2011 requires local planning authorities to produce monitoring reports. Planning authorities can now decide what is monitored and the format for reporting. Haringey’s existing procedure of annual monitoring is considered an effective way for presenting outcomes and achievements of the planning service, within existing resources. As such, no other options were considered. However, the report includes information beyond the monitoring year where it helps to provide a more current picture of performance outcomes.

Supplementary Planning Document/Guidance Review

Two alternative options were considered:

Option A: Do not review the supplementary planning guidance documents.  This is not considered an appropriate option as there have been changes in national and regional guidance. Further, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) recommends the review of planning documents.  It is also considered that the Council’s current volume of supplementary planning guidance (48 documents) is excessive, and may impede effective development management and pose a barrier to investment in the borough.

Option B: Revoke or withdraw all supplementary planning documents and guidance.  This is not considered an appropriate option as the Council has some excellent supplementary planning guidance documents which provide appropriate locally specific guidance, based on extensive consultation with residents, and these documents continue to provide useful guidance for development management and investment in the borough.

The preferred option is therefore a tailor-made approach which balances multiple requirements: to update and streamline Haringey’s planning policy guidance; to provide greater certainty about the types of development that the Council will support; and to ensure the protection of Haringey’s interests now and in the future.

Reasons for decision

Authority Monitoring Report

The publication of the Authority Monitoring Report is a requirement of the Localism Act 2011. Approval of the contents of the AMR for publication will ensure that the Council meets its statutory obligations for planning performance monitoring.

Supplementary Planning Document/Guidance Review

The NPPF is a material consideration for planning decisions. It also sets out requirements and guidance for local authorities to consider when preparing planning documents. Importantly, the NPPF advocates that local planning authorities review their Local Plans in whole or in part to respond flexibly to changing circumstances.

In 2013 Haringey adopted its Local Plan: Strategic Policies, which at public examination was found to be sound under the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.  In addition, the Local Plan was assessed as being consistent with the NPPF. The borough now has an up-to-date strategic plan which provides a robust basis for guiding new development and investment in the borough.

However, many of Haringey’s existing Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) and Supplementary Planning Guidance documents (SPGs) were prepared prior to the publication of the NPPF and adoption of Haringey’s Local Plan.

In light of these circumstances it is appropriate for Haringey to closely examine its suite of SPD/G documents, to ensure they closely align with the local planning policy framework and positively contribute to the development management in the borough.