Agenda and minutes

Any apologies for absence that have been received will be noted at this stage.

The Chairman will announce any late items that due to special circumstances will be considered under agenda item 6.

The Chairman welcomed all present to the first meeting of the Development Plan and Infrastructure Panel to be held in public.

Apologies were received from Cllr Sharp.

Details of members’ other interests arising from their membership of parish councils or West Sussex County Council or from their being Chichester District Council or West Sussex County Council appointees to outside organisations or members of outside bodies or from being employees of such organisations or bodies. Such interests are hereby disclosed by each member in respect of agenda items where the Council or outside body concerned has been consulted in respect of that item.

Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, other interests and prejudicial interests are to be made by members of the Development Plan & Infrastructure Panel (DPIP) in respect of matters on the agenda or this meeting

The declarations of interests of members of the Development Plan and Infrastructure Panel were set out in the report papers.

Cllr S Johnson informed the Panel he was a member of Chidham and Hambrook Parish Council.

No other interests were raised.

The Development Plan and Infrastructure Panel are asked to consider the attached report and make the proposed recommendation as set out in the report.

Mr Whitty introduced the report and drew the Panel’s attention to the main policy changes and objectives introduced through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (LURA) and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Mr Whitty explained that much of what was proposed in the LURA would require secondary legislation to be passed before enacted.

Mrs Stevens informed the Panel of the main changes and objectives introduced through the LURA and NPPF that would impact Development Management.

Officers responded to comments and questions as follows;

Regarding the introduction of the new Infrastructure Levy (IL) and whether Parish Councils would still be entitled to funding (similar to the CIL arrangement); Mr Whitty informed the Panel that until secondary legislation was enacted this unknown. The Council had stated that it should be kept in their representation to the original consultation.

Responding to concerns regarding the additions to S73B applications; Mrs Stevens acknowledged concerns but assured the Panel applications would continue to follow normal procedure for determination.

Responding to who the ‘prescribed bodies’ were; Mr Whitty informed the Panel he was unsure at this time as further definition was still required.

Regarding intervention by the Secretary of State in plan making; Mr Whitty explained further detail was needed to fully understand the objectives and reasons for how, why, and when the Secretary of State might intervene.

On the matter of development outside the AONB; Mr Whitty informed the Panel policy was designed to protect, not just the area within the AONB but also its setting. Therefore, when development was being proposed near to an AONB consideration must be given to the potential impact it may have on the setting of an AONB.

Mr Whitty told the Panel he was unsure how Community Land Auctions would work in practice.

Regarding changes to the housing requirement; Mr Whitty assured the Panel this was not a fundamental change but just provided further clarity.

On the matter of restricting GPDO rights, for example preventing commercial property from being converted into domestic; Mrs Stevens explained how it was very difficult to limit GPDO rights. There were very few areas in the country where this had been done, it required the application of an Article 4 direction and was only considered for very specific cases.

Mr Whitty clarified how the Gypsy and Traveller policy would be included within the Local Plan going forward.

Regarding the Duty to Co-operate; Mr Whitty acknowledged the comments made; and confirmed that whilst the duty had been removed from legislation it did remain in policy.

Regarding Street Vote Development Orders; Mrs Stevens confirmed that Street Vote Development Orders did not have to comply with planning policies, but they were required to consult with the Local Planning Authority. Regarding their use in rural areas, she confirmed there were definitions of what made a ‘street’ and limitations on what development could take place.

Responding to whether a design code could be developed to specify what was ‘beautiful’ for Chichester; Mr Whitty agreed this was an option, however,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Development Plan and Infrastructure Panel are asked to consider the attached report and make the proposed recommendation as set out in the report.

Mrs Potts presented the report. She detailed how the housing land supply was calculated.

Officers responded to comments and questions as follows;

Mrs Potts agreed to correct the Table A1, so it referenced Bosham instead of Boxgrove.

Mr Frost confirmed the 2014 census data continued to be used in calculations. Mr Whitty added that the 2021 data was not fully released and for the purpose of the Local Plan the 2014 data would continue to be used.

Mrs Potts provided further clarification on how the housing trajectory was calculated.

Mr Whitty explained that where permissions had lapsed, they would no longer feature in supply.

Regarding the progression of the Tangmere CPO; Mr Whitty informed the Committee the CPO had been heard but the decision had not yet been published. On the assumption the CPO is granted it is expected that the first completions would come forward in 2025.

Following a vote, the Panel agreed to support the report recommendation.

Resolved; That the Development Plan and Infrastructure Panel notes the update five-year housing land supply position as of 1 April 2023 which is set out in the appendix to the report.

The Development Plan and Infrastructure Panel are requested to note any items for the next meeting

The Chairman informed the Panel the next meeting would be held on Wednesday 28 February 2024 at 2pm in the Committee Rooms.

Mr Whitty advised the following items would be considered at that meeting;

-       Statement of Consultation

-       Authority’s Monitoring Report

-       A bid for Nutrient Mitigation

-       An update on the Local Plan

The Development Plan and Infrastructure Panel will consider any late items as announced by the Chairman under agenda item 1.

There were no late items.

The Panel is asked to consider in respect of the following item(s) whether the public interest including the press should be excluded from the meeting on the grounds of exemption under Parts I to 7 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as indicated against the item and because, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption of that information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. The reports dealt with under this part of the agenda are attached for members and senior officers only (salmon paper)

The Chairman proposed the Panel move into Part 2 to consider the following items – Agenda Item 8 Approval of the Minutes and Agenda Item 9 – Verbal Update of the Local Plan Progression to Submission.

He asked them to consider whether the public interest including the press should be excluded from the meeting on the grounds of exemption by virtue of paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) of Part 1 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, because, in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption of that information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Cllr Moss seconded the proposal.

Following a vote, the Panel agreed to support the proposal.

The minutes relate to the meeting of the Development Plan and Infrastructure Panel on 13 December 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 13 December 2024 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

The Development Plan and Infrastructure Panel are asked to note the verbal update.

The minutes for this item are restricted.