Issue - items at meetings - Developer Contributions - Temporary Recession Measures and updated Technical Guidance

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

(1)       That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Employment, Economy & Regeneration (PEER) approves the revised Developer Contributions Temporary Recession Relief Measures and agrees changes to reflect revised Council priorities in the nature and type of developer contributions that will be sought when considering issues of viability on development sites.

(2)       That the Cabinet Member for PEER approves the updated Technical Guidance on Developer Contributions attached at Appendix 1.

76.1         The Leader considered an update from the Head of Planning Strategy concerning temporary recession measures and updated technical guidance for developer contributions.

76.2         The Head of Planning Strategy clarified that the Council would still negotiate contributions on planning applications, but the report set out the revised priorities for developers contributions

76.3    Councillor Morgan highlighted the need for such measures in the current financial climate, but wanted to ensure that the general presumption was that affordable housing would remain as on site provision and would only be provided off site on the basis that this also met the requirements on an exceptional basis. Officers and the Leader confirmed that this was the case,

76.4    The Head of Planning and Public Protection highlighted that the feedback received in consultation with the development sector had been positive. He also went onto say that it was fair to increase the viability testing of sites in the city, and the development industry were well practised in proving the necessary data to the Council. The Head of Planning Strategy also noted a significant aspect of every major application included a discussion in relation to viability.

76.5    RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the following recommendations be accepted:

(1)       That the Leader of the Council acting as Cabinet Member for Planning, Employment, Economy & Regeneration (PEER) approve the revised Developer Contributions Temporary Recession Relief Measures and agrees changes to reflect revised Council priorities in the nature and type of developer contributions that will be sought when considering issues of viability on development sites.

(2)       That the Leader of the Council acting as Cabinet Member for PEER approves the updated Technical Guidance on Developer Contributions attached at Appendix 1.