URL: https://services.swale.gov.uk/meetings/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=389

Decision Maker: Policy and Resources Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Project Manager (Policy) introduced the report as set out in the agenda papers.  He said that recommendation to Full Council on the proposed housing target was required, as reported to the PTPWG on 8 August 2024.  The report set out two main issues: Housing historic delivery up to 1 April 2024; and, Local Plan Review Housing target and balance of housing need.  He referred Members to the recommendations for approval.   The Chair invited comments from Members, and points raised included:   ·         Could not support as Members had not had sight of the Exceptional Circumstances report; ·         considered there were grounds to challenge the housing targets on a unsustainable transport basis; ·         should defer the item until Members had read the Exceptional Circumstances report; ·         referred to Table 4, on page 220 of the report, which stated that 231 houses were required under Neighbourhood Plan allocations, and said that the Faversham Neighbourhood Plan was expected to be passed within the next couple of weeks that figure would rise thus helping the wider targets; ·         the proposed numbers were ‘astonishing’ and the number of planning permissions currently not built-out were ‘significant’; ·         this was putting the current population at such a disadvantage that it was having a detrimental impact on their health and wellbeing; ·         it would be remiss of the Committee to consider this item until they had received all the information required to make a decision; ·         to build 17,000 houses and to get 3,000 in preferred areas, as viability dictated, they needed to be built in the most profitable areas, ie. rural areas, was extremely short sighted and utterly flawed by the Government; and ·         what were the implications of this not going through to Full Council?   In response, the Project Manager (Policy) clarified that the Exceptional Circumstances report was almost complete, and available for consideration by the PTPWG.  He referred to the Local Development Scheme (LDS) Autumn 2024 update report which would be considered by the PTPWG on 17 September 2024, which proposed a six month extension before the Regulation 18 consultation, so deferring the item would not delay the overall schedule.    Officers considered when the item could next be considered by the Policy & Resources Committee.  The Chair confirmed that it was likely that the item would next be considered by the Vice-Chaird Resources Committee at their meeting on 27 November 2024.   Councillor Lloyd Bowen moved the following motion:  That the item be deferred until Members had been able to consider the Exceptional Circumstances report.  This was seconded by Councillor Mike Baldock.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed by Members.   Resolved:   (1)  That the report be deferred until Members had been able to view the Exceptional Circumstances report.

Date of Decision: September 11, 2024