Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration (Deputy Leader) to submit a report providing information in relation to the current housing delivery and housing supply situation in the Borough.

Cabinet:

1)    APPROVED the publication of the full Five-years’ Housing Land Supply and Housing Trajectory report, in accordance with the requirements established in paragraph 73 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, 2019);

2)    NOTED that the minimum required in terms of housing delivery was met, and significantly exceeded;

3)    NOTED that the short-term impact of Covid-19/Brexit had been almost negligible.

Jim Worley, Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery introduced the report, the purpose of which was to provide information in relation to the current housing delivery and housing supply situation in the Borough.

Mr. Worley advised that the Council was in a strong position with 11.6 years’ worth of housing against the housing requirement (which was a minimum of 5 years).  Different scenarios to respond to the recent changes in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and associated guidance and the Council’s position in terms of housing supply even in the worst-case scenario were detailed at paragraph 5.2 of the report.  The Council remained above the 5 year minimum in all scenarios, which reinforced the strength of its position.

Mr. Worely highlighted that of equal importance to the five year land supply was the housing delivery test, which measured actual completions against the needs required for those years.  The Council’s position was at 175% against an 85% threshold.  Falling below the threshold would impact on the local plan and there was no room for complacency.  Also considered were the implications of the pandemic and Brexit on housing delivery and the expected delivery rates were adapted accordingly and reflected in this year’s final delivery figure, which was approximately 5% lower than last year.

Councillor Leigh Higgins, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity commented that the report was very positive and he thanked Councillors for their work in relation to local plans and sustainable neighbourhood plans.  He noted the secure position of the Council, even in the worse-case scenario and that the planning service had improved for developers and communities to reduce and mitigate complications.

Councillor Higgins highlighted Table 2 (Melton Stepped Approach Trajectory) at appendix 1 of appendix A, commenting that this showed the Council delivering on a very sustainable plan.  It was time to progress sustainable neighbourhoods and deliver much needed homes.

The Leader thanked the Assistant Director and his team for their work and the difficult decisions which had been taken to safeguard the Council’s position in its delivery of homes.

During discussion the following points were noted:

·         The report was comprehensive and very positive.

·         The Council’s work on the environment and climate change washigh priority and Members were pleased to see this referenced in this report and how it incorporated into all Council services as well as housing delivery.

Cabinet:

1)    APPROVED the publication of the full Five-years’ Housing Land Supply and Housing Trajectory report, in accordance with the requirements established in paragraph 73 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, 2019);

2)    NOTED that the minimum required in terms of housing delivery was met, and significantly exceeded;

3)    NOTED that the short-term impact of Covid-19/Brexit had been almost negligible.

Reason for the decision

This report seeks approval to publish the final 2020/21 ‘Five-years’ housing land supply and housing trajectory’ report in order to meet the national requirement as identified in paragraph 73 of the NPPF, which states: ‘… Local Planning Authorities should identify and update annually a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide a minimum of five years’ worth of housing against their housing requirement set out in adopted strategic policies …’.

The acknowledgement of the positive position of the Council regarding housing delivery is given by a range of indicators explored in the main body of this report, illustrating that the Council can demonstrate 11.6 years’ worth of housing supply against the housing requirement, which is significantly above the minimum target (5 years).

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been considered in the report taking into account the results from the survey sent to site promoters and the analysis from previous year’s expectations. The anticipated impacts are almost negligible given the timeframes when these impacts are expected, and the level of supply identified during these years.