Agenda

Please advise the Democratic Services Team on 01629 761133 or email committee@derbyshiredales.gov.uk of any apologies for absence.

22 July 2024, 30 July 2024, 12 September 2024

To receive the minutes of the following Sub-Committee meetings:

-       Local Plan Sub-Committee – 16 July 2024

To enable members of the public to ask questions, express views or present petitions, IF NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN, (by telephone, in writing or by email) BY NO LATER THAN 12 NOON OF THE WORKING DAY PRECEDING THE MEETING. As per Procedural Rule 14.4 at any one meeting no person may submit more than 3 questions and no more than 1 such question may be asked on behalf of one organisation.

Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any interests they may have in subsequent agenda items in accordance with the District Council’s Code of Conduct. Those interests are matters that relate to money or that which can be valued in money, affecting the Member, her/his partner, extended family and close friends. Interests that become apparent at a later stage in the proceedings may be declared at the time.

To answer questions from Members who have given the appropriate notice.

Empty homes represent a waste of a much-needed housing resource in a time of severe shortage. Over time, their condition and appearance can significantly deteriorate, attracting crime and antisocial behaviour, whilst potentially blighting streets and neighbourhoods. In recognition of this, the Council appointed a dedicated, full time Empty Homes Officer (EHO), who commenced in post in November 2022.

The purpose of this report is to summarise the key highlights and learning points from the first 18 months of the EHO being in post, to July 2024. The report makes a number of recommendations as to how work in this important area can be improved in current and future years.

The report proposes re-introducing a revised/updatedLocal Validation Checklist which sets out the requirements for validating planning applications.  The use of a local checklist is supported by the government within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG).

The list sets out additional information required to be submitted with an application above that required by the national validation requirements.  The revised checklist also includes a separate revision addressing the requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) which became a requirement for a large number of planning application from April of this year.

The information requirements set out within the proposed local list are not intended to add any additional burden to development, but to ease the fair and timely assessment of planning applications by being consistent and reducing delays.

The report sets out options for defending an appeal at a Planning Inquiry relating to an application which was recommended for refusal by Officers and refused by the Planning Committee.

On the 7^th October 2024, the Peak District National Park Authority published a ‘Issues and Options’ consultation on a new Local Plan for the Peak District. The new Local Plan will replace the existing Core Strategy (2011) and Development Management Policies Documents (2019) and provide the framework to guide new development; and policies to determine planning applications within the Peak District National Park to 2045. The new Local Plan seeks to ensure that development is coordinated; reflects the goals of local communities and meets the National Park statutory purposes.

The purpose of this report is to provide a District Council response to the Peak District National Park Authority’s Local Plan Review Issues and Options consultation and enable Members to respond by the 29^th November 2024 deadline.

ARK were engaged by the Council to undertake an initial search of potential permanent traveller sites. This project concluded in May 2024 and a further, more detailed assessment was then commissioned and concluded in October 2024. This report sets out the progress of the 2^nd phase of work. Whilst ARK were unable to secure suitable sites, they have identified 3 potential sites that need further assessment. ARK have also reflected on the shortcomings of the traditional approach of councils to acquire land and recommend that the District Council revise its approach to include the use of auctions, subject to the development of an appropriate delegation policy.