Cllr Ejiofor Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement attended to respond to questions from the panel on services within his portfolio which has four main strands:
· Planning applications;
· Planning and licensing policy;
· Planning and licensing Enforcement;
· Housing with Multiple Occupancy.
Planning Enforcement
The panel noted a number of local case studies in which unauthorised development was perceived to have gone unchecked by the planning authority. The perceived lack of action taken by the planning authority was felt to undermine confidence in local planning enforcement processes and future compliance with planning regulations. The panel noted that there were a number of contributory factors:
· An information gap within the community about what is permitted development and what needs planning authority authorisation;
· The exploitation of planning processes (e.g. retrospective applications, appeals, certificates of lawfulness).
It was noted by the panel that Planning Officers had been specifically tasked to look at planning enforcement to ensure that the appropriate authorisations are communicated to applicants at each stage of the planning process and that there was a much clearer understanding within the community about was is permitted development.
The panel noted that there would be a more robust planning enforcement response in the future to help restore greater confidence in the system. This would include the following:
· A tasking group to undertake a visible manifestation of physical enforcement;
· Prioritisation of planning enforcement cases, which will be supported by:
· Direct action (where necessary) by the Council to uphold enforcement decisions.
It was hoped that the above would send a clear message to those developers seeking to exploit planning processes that the Council would not be a ‘soft touch’ and that enforcement will be a priority.
It was important to note that planning enforcement relied on intelligence and reports from within the community and that where planning breaches were indentified or suspected, these should be reported promptly to the planning service.
The panel noted that there had been an increase in unauthorised living in industrial areas. Further investment in planning, housing and legal support to address this issue had been approved in budget proposals for 2014/15.
Planning Performance (Development Management Improvement Programme (DMIP)
The panel noted the improved performance for strands within the Development Management Improvement Programme (DMIP). The panel noted that regular updates on the implementation of recommendations within this report were regularly provided to Regulatory Committee.
Site Allocation Plan Document and Tottenham Area Action Plan
The panel noted that these documents provide a framework for the future regeneration and development of the borough. Both documents identify potential strategic sites and suggest what form development may take. The consultation opened on 17th January and local residents, business and other local stakeholders would be invited to respond. Both documents are subject to consultation and the plans for each will go to every Area Forum.
The panel noted that there was a target of developing 1,500 homes per annum which would be challenging given the pressures for possible redevelopment sites. Both plans, once agreed, will provide a clearer framework for potential developers to engage with the authority.
The panel noted that potential sites were identified through a number of processes including:
· A ‘call for sites’ advert to local landowners wishing to develop;
· Greater London Assembly;
· Neighbourhood Plans.
The panel also noted that there is a monthly strategic development meeting at which the Cabinet member is kept up to date with all major planning applications. Within the meeting a member takes the role of design champion, and the meeting is also looking to develop a role of ‘heritage champion’ to further promote sympathetic development.
The panel underlined the importance of community engagement and involvement in the local planning processes. It was suggested that many small developments could be implemented to encourage and support community engagement and build confidence for involvement. It was suggested that a summary of the impact of public engagement should be included within planning reports, as this would provide evidence as to how consultation processes had influenced decisions within the final planning policy or development. This would provide reassurance to members of the public that time taken to be involved within the consultation had been worthwhile and encourage further involvement in the future.
Agreed: that a mechanism should be developed in which the impact of public consultations is recorded on final planning documents (for Community Engagement with Planning Project).
Licensing Applications
The panel were made aware that all licensing applications received required the following publication:
· All applications would be sent to statutory consultees (fire, police, enforcement, building control, CYP service etc);
· Are displayed on the website
· Applicant is required to notify local newspaper and put an appropriate sign outside the premises.
Event Planning
The panel noted that two licenses have been granted for events at Finsbury Park which take place in May and July respectively and an events plan is being developed for each. As a result of the scrutiny call-in process, a Finsbury Park Stakeholders group has been established to assist with plans, communications and liaison. The group has indentified community representatives and held its first meeting.