Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being).

Agreed to investigate further the possibility of charging developers for pre-submission advice; agreed that relevant consultees and neighbours be consulted again on amended plans, except for those with very minor significance; requested that care should be exercised in relation to households that abut the development site, including over-printed envelopes with a suitable message to indicate that it is an important communication concerning a planning application; agreed that applicants be advised in the clearest terms at the outset of the process that they are unlikely to receive any further communication until all of the consultees' views had been received, which could be towards the end of the eight or thirteen week determination period; requested that members of Town and Parish Councils be encouraged to attend training on all aspects of the Development Management process;  agreed that as part of the next review of the public speaking procedure for the Development Management Panel consideration be given to the possibility of a mechanism that allows external speakers to respond to what they perceive to be factually incorrect information so that the Panel can make well-informed decisions; and reiterated that the Council reinforces the message wherever possible that development that takes place without permission is discouraged and that the Council will take a robust approach concerning the retention of development where permission is subsequently refused.

(Councillor M Baker, a Member of the Development Management Process Working Group, was in attendance and spoke on this Item.)

Consideration was given to a report by the Working Group appointed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) to undertake a review of the Council's Development Management Process (a copy of the report is appended in the Minute Book).  The study had involved discussions with the Chairman of the Development Management Panel and the Development Management Manager. 

With regard to the Panel’s recommendations, the Cabinet noted that several of the proposals have been already implemented by the Development Management Service. In concurring with the Panel that the current process was working well, although some areas mostly relating to enforcement and public speaking at the Development Management Panel could be improved, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the possibility of charging developers for pre-submission advice be investigated further;

  (b)  that relevant consultees and neighbours be consulted again on amended plans, except for those with very minor significance;

  (c)  that care should be exercised in relation to households that abut the development site, including the over-printing of envelopes with a suitable message to indicate that it is an important communication concerning a planning application;

  (d)  that applicants be advised in the clearest terms at the outset of the process that they are unlikely to receive any further communication until all of the consultees' views had been received, which could be towards the end of the eight or thirteen week determination period;

  (e)  that members of Town and Parish Councils be encouraged to undertake training on all aspects of the Development Management process;

  (f)  that as part of the next review of the public speaking procedure the Development Management Panel be requested to give consideration to the possibility of a mechanism that allows external speakers to respond to what they perceive to be factually incorrect information so that the Panel can make well-informed decisions; and

  (g)  that the Council continues to reinforces the message wherever possible that development that takes place without permission is discouraged and adopts an appropriate and robust approach concerning the retention of development where permission is subsequently refused.

To receive a report outlining the findings of the Development Management Process Working Group.

(Councillor D B Dew, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport was in attendance for this Item.)

Further to Minute No. 09/23 and with the assistance of a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Councillor M G Baker acquainted the Panel with the outcome of the deliberations of the Working Group which had been established to investigate the process for the determination of planning applications and make recommendations where appropriate. 

In considering the Members' report, attention was drawn to the key issues that the Group had addressed and its recommendations.  The Panel acknowledged that development management was a contentious subject which, by its nature, could generate strong feelings and concerns which could influence the views of users of the service.  The Working Group had found overall that the development management process worked well in Huntingdonshire, and they had commended Planning Officers accordingly.  Nevertheless, the Working Group felt that the treatment of amendments to applications and communication between case officers and residents could benefit from further improvement. In response, the Head of Planning Services explained the way in which amendments were dealt with and advised that if a case officer viewed an amendment to be of significance, then a new application would be required.

Having regard to communication with applicants and others, the Working Group had recommended that the Council consider implementing a duty planning officer system which would enable the public and agents an opportunity to access planning advice of a general nature with specific queries being directed to the relevant case officer.  However, the Panel felt on balance that there was sufficient opportunity to contact planning officers and others for advice. Members therefore did not support this recommendation.

The Panel was informed that the Head of Planning Services was already investigating the possibility of charging developers for pre-application planning advice. 

With regard to the recommendation that the Council reinforce the message, wherever possible that development that took place without permission would be discouraged and for the Council to take a robust approach concerning the retention of development where permission was subsequently refused, it was reported that the Council issued press releases where enforcement action was taken and that work was ongoing with the Council’s land charges section whereby inquirers were notified where development had taken place without permission.  Having regard to comments made, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Panel's appreciation be expressed to the Members of the Working Group for the extensive nature of their review;

  (b)  that subject to the deletion of recommendation (d) relating to a duty planning officer system and suitable amendments to the report to reflect this decision, the Working Group's report and recommendations be endorsed for submission to the Cabinet and the Development Management Panel; and

  (c)  that the Cabinet be requested to notify the Panel of the response to the report by June 2010.