Agenda item

(NOTE: Councillors D. Cundy and S.L. Davies had earlier declared non- pecuniary interests in this item in relation to the references on page 73 to planning applications S/34991 and S/22242)

The Committee received for consideration the 2016/17 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) on the operation of the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan produced in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the Local Development Plan (LDP) Regulations 2016. It was noted that the report was the second produced by the Authority, following the LDP’s formal adoption on the 10^th December, 2014, and was to be submitted to the Welsh Government by the 31^st October 2017.

The Committee noted that following completion of the AMR, it was being recommended that the Council undertake a review of the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan which would need to:-

-        Consider and address the shortfall in available housing land supply and the interventions necessary,

-        Prepare further evidence on the implications and veracity of the 2014 sub-national Household and Population projections, and consider them in light of the review,

-        Consider the distribution and delivery of housing and the success or otherwise of the strategy, or its components in meeting the identified housing requirements.

The following questions/issues were raised on the report:-

·        Reference was made to the fact the Council was due to debate the report in September, prior to its submission to the Welsh Government, and clarification sought on how elected members could submit observations on both the AMR and any review of the LDP.

The Forward Planning Manager confirmed that, in relation to the AMR, whilst elected members would have the opportunity to debate that at Council they could also submit observations direct to the department either individually or, on a party political basis. With regard to the recommendation to review the LDP, should that be adopted by the Council, a widespread public consultation exercise would be undertaken. The role/observations of elected members would be central to the review process along with those of other interested parties including developers, public sector bodies, town and community councils and the public.

The Head of Planning in referring to the AMR advised that whilst its content was factual, the role of elected members in its adoption was to question the statistics on which it had been produced. With regard to the proposed LDP review, the participation and involvement of elected members was critical to the whole review process.

·        In response to a question on land availability for housing development and the inclusion of sites within the LDP, the Committee was advised that the criteria for a sites inclusion was more stringent than previous with owners/developers of land having to prove intent to facilitate development. Accordingly, if that intent was not forthcoming, the inclusion of a site in the current, or previous development plans, would not be sufficient to warrant its inclusion under the review.

·        Reference was made to the findings of the 2017 Joint Housing Land Study indicating the Council had a housing land supply of 4.1 years representing a 0.9 shortfall on the requirement for a 5 year supply, as identified within Technical Advice Note 1. Clarification was sought on whether that deficit was confined to the rural areas where there was a general consensus of a lack of building land.

The Forward Planning Manager confirmed that the deficit was attributable to a combination of Welsh Government Methodology in the calculation of land supply and the high requirement within the current LDP for the provision of 15,197 new residential builds over the five year plan period. On a Wales wide context, it was evident the 5 year supply was only being met where there was strong demand by house builders. However, it should be recognised that as time progressed, the provision and identification of a five year land supply would become more challenging.

·        In response to a question on the consultation process for the submission of sites for inclusion within the revised LDP, the Committee was advised that consultation could not commence until the Plans’ Delivery Agreement had been signed off by the Welsh Government. However, it was anticipated, consultations could commence in the spring of 2018. Whilst those consultations would be undertaken by open invitation, the department would also be targeting specific partner organisations, other public service providers, internal council departments and developers to obtain their views on the plans’ development and to highlight potential infrastructure pressures they may face e.g. a potential requirement for new schools and health facilities. As part of that process, the department had commenced a review on infrastructure provision.

·        Reference was made to the potential impact large developments could have upon community infrastructure, and concern expressed that local members were not sufficiently involved with the preparation of Section 106 Agreements, and in identifying areas within their wards which could benefit from S106 finance. The Head of Planning advised that officers were currently examining how local member involvement in the process could be enhanced.

·        Reference was made to the requirement for pre-application consultations to be undertaken with communities and statutory consultees on certain types of development. A view was expressed that the process was not effective, with contributors not receiving feed-back on the consultation. The Forward Planning Manager reminded the Committee that the onus for undertaking pre-application consultations, in such circumstances, lay with developers and not the planning department. In that regard, as the council was itself a developer, work was being undertaken on the pre-application process with a view to providing an example of best practice to share with developers.

·        In response to a question on paragraph 2.41 within the report and the expectation Local Planning Authorities would consult with Community and Town Councils on the preparation of Place Plans, the Committee was advised that the department was examining the practice and guidance provided by the Breacon Beacons National Park Authority on their preparation. However, whilst it was important communities engaged with the council to facilitate a plans progression, they would also need to have regard to the proposed timescales for the adoption of a revised LDP.

·        In response to a question on the identification of gypsy and traveller accommodation sites, the Head of Planning reminded the Committee that the council had submitted a Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment to the Welsh Government in 2016, as required by the Housing Wales Act 2014. Following confirmation on the 28^th March, 2017 from the Welsh Minister that the Assessment had been accepted, it would now be progressed through the Council’s political process. Discussions were also on-going with the housing division on the potential identification and inclusion of a site within the LDP, together with existing provision, as the Council would need to demonstrate it had examined and assessed the need for Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation within the County as part of the LDP process.

·        In response to references to the potential impact the Swansea Bay City Region and the Wellness Centre could have on the need for additional housing and infrastructure within the Llanelli area, the Forward Planning Manager confirmed that the review of the LDP would enable the council to examine the impact of large developments on the local infrastructure and public transport, the prevention of urban creep and the protection of distinct communities.

·        Reference was made to the apparent levelling off and potential decrease in Carmarthenshire’s population and the potential impact large developments/investments such as the City Region and Wellness centre could have on that trend. The Forward Planning Manager confirmed that whilst population figures were indicating a down trend, it was important to understand where the growth challenges lay and their potential impact on communities. As part of that analysis, consideration would also need to be given to retaining the current population by providing employment and opportunities for young people.

·        Reference was made to the LDP’s aims, through the use of land planning policies, to promote the principles of sustainability and sustainable development by facilitating the creation of communities and local economies that were more sustainable by providing access to local services and facilities reducing the need to travel. A view was expressed on the importance of examining a site’s sustainability in those terms prior to its inclusion within the Plan. The committee was reminded that as part of its earlier discussion, it had been reported that an infrastructure review was currently being undertaken which would inform the LDP policies.

·        It confirmed that should the Council accept the recommendation for a review of the LDP, a further report would be submitted detailing the content and outcomes of the review, a Delivery Agreement on the timetable for the Plan review and the methods of timing of communications and consultation over its preparatory period.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COUNCIL THAT: