Issue - meetings

Report of Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Jones

(Key decision):

(1) That Cabinet delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet portfolio holder to make any minor or technical adjustments found necessary in the affordable housing supplementary planning document before it is presented to Full Council.

Recommended to Council (Budget and policy framework):

(2) That Cabinet endorse the affordable housing supplementary planning document as set out at appendix 3 to the report, and recommend its adoption by Full Council.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Strategy Policy Officer, seeking their endorsement of the affordable housing supplementary planning document (SPD) for formal adoption at Full Council on 16 July 2018.

It was clarified that costs of commuted sums was regularly revised and that this would be referenced in the final version. Recommendation one allows the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet portfolio holder to make technical adjustments to the SPD.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) That Cabinet delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet portfolio holder to make any minor or technical adjustments found necessary in the affordable housing supplementary planning document before it is presented to Full Council.

Recommended to Council (Budget and policy framework):

(2) That Cabinet endorse the affordable housing supplementary planning document as set out at appendix 3 to the report, and recommend its adoption by Full Council.

Reasons for decisions:

(1) There is an ongoing and increasing need for the provision of affordable housing in the Lewes District, as rent costs and the price of home ownership rises.

(2) There are challenges regarding the delivery of affordable housing. A significant proportion of affordable housing is delivered through the planning system. The Affordable Housing SPD will provide the Council with a policy reference point with weight during negotiations, better enabling the Council to deliver much needed affordable dwellings.

(3) The SPD builds upon and provides more detailed advice and guidance on Core Policy 1 and Core Policy 2 of the Lewes District Local Plan Part 1 – Joint Core Strategy (2016). This will provide developers and housing providers with a useful reference point, making the planning process more efficient and effective.