Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

None advised.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on the 20^th September 2023 and 22^nd November 2023.

The minutes of the meetings held on 20 September and 22 November 2023 were agreed and signed by the Chair.

To receive communications from the Chair.

None advised.

RESOLVED:

The Planning Policy Committee:

a)    Agreed to adopt the Local Heritage List Criteria (Appendix A of the report)

b)    Endorsed the assets previously identified by Northampton Borough Council and Daventry District Council as the foundation of the new WNC list

c)     Agreed that delegated authority to add new heritage assets to the List be given to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Built Environment and Rural Affairs

The Historic Environment Officer presented the report which sought approval for the adoption of the suggested Local Heritage List Criteria (Appendix A of the report), endorse the former Northampton and Daventry Local List assets, and agree the process for identifying and adopting new heritage assets onto the list. The report set out the recommendations for the adoption of the suggested Local Heritage List criteria for the whole of West Northamptonshire, as well as the endorsement of heritage assets previously identified by Northampton Borough Council and Daventry District Council, and the endorsement of a proposed process for identifying and adopting heritage assets onto the List.

Members discussed the report, and the following points were raised:

·       Details on protection for non-designated heritage assets were contained in the National Planning Policy Framework; it included a policy that guided planners on how to determine planning applications that would affect the significance of assets.

RESOLVED:

The Planning Policy Committee:

a)    Agreed to adopt the Local Heritage List Criteria (Appendix A of the report)

b)    Endorsed the assets previously identified by Northampton Borough Council and Daventry District Council as the foundation of the new WNC list

c)     Agreed that delegated authority to add new heritage assets to the List be given to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Built Environment and Rural Affairs

RESOLVED:

The Planning Policy Committee:

a)    Approved the updated West Northamptonshire Local Development Scheme (Appendix A of the report) which is to be brought into effect upon the expiry of the call-in period for Planning Policy Committee decisions.

b)    Delegated to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services authority to make minor editorial and presentational changes to the Local Development Scheme in its final published form.

The Planning Policy Team Leader presented the report which sought approval for the updated Local Development Scheme which sets out a timetable for local plan preparation. The West Northamptonshire LDS was last updated in April 2023; the new report contained updates to the LDS to ensure that it is up to date in respect of amendments to the timetable for the production of the emerging West Northamptonshire Local Plan. The content of the LDS had not changed in any other aspect.

Members discussed the report and the following points were raised:

·       The document would be updated to reflect changes to consultation bodies.

RESOLVED:

The Planning Policy Committee:

a)    Approved the updated West Northamptonshire Local Development Scheme (Appendix A of the report) which is to be brought into effect upon the expiry of the call-in period for Planning Policy Committee decisions.

b)    Delegated to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services authority to make minor editorial and presentational changes to the Local Development Scheme in its final published form.

RESOLVED:

The Planning Policy Committee:

a)    Agreed that the eligibility criteria for entry onto the Self and Custom Build register as set out in appendix A of the report be agreed, for implementation for any application submitted on or after 1st April 2024.

b)    Agreed that the fees be increased as set out in paragraph 5.13 of the report for applications submitted on or after 1st April 2024.

The Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services presented the report which sought consideration of a revision to the eligibility criteria for the Self and Custom Build Register and to consider an increase in fees.

Members discussed the report.

RESOLVED:

The Planning Policy Committee:

a)    Agreed that the eligibility criteria for entry onto the Self and Custom Build register as set out in appendix A of the report be agreed, for implementation for any application submitted on or after 1st April 2024.

b)    Agreed that the fees be increased as set out in paragraph 5.13 of the report for applications submitted on or after 1st April 2024.

RESOLVED:

The Planning Policy:

a)    Adopted the Statement of Community Involvement (Appendix A of the report)

b)    Delegated to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services authority to make minor editorial and presentational changes to the Statement of Community Involvement in its final published form.

The Planning Policy Team Leader presented the report which sought approval of the Statement of Community Involvement for the West Northamptonshire Local Plan, following an update.

Members discussed the report and the following points were raised:

·       It was requested that paper copies of the consultation document be placed in community-managed libraries for those not able to access the online version.

RESOLVED:

The Planning Policy:

a)    Adopted the Statement of Community Involvement (Appendix A of the report)

b)    Delegated to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services authority to make minor editorial and presentational changes to the Statement of Community Involvement in its final published form.

The Chair to advise whether they have agreed to any items of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

None.