Agenda item

In response to a question from a Member on the speed of response to developers in discharging planning conditions, particularly in light of all the conditions imposed on the previous application, the Committee heard that  many conditions did not need to be discharged prior to implementation. Where they did, responses would be provided as soon as possible, but due to the information and input involved, it was not always possible to respond  as swiftly as  hoped for.

In response to a question from a Member on a policy approach relating to  information on viability being made public, the Committee heard how the City Corporation’s starting point, set out  on its pre-Application website advice,  was that all information provided in connection with planning applications (from  pre-application stage onwards) was publicly available. However, there were  statutory exceptions, and if the person providing the information felt this applied and the CoL Corporation agreed the information was not disclosed. Officers reviewed this on a case by case basis.  Members were also advised that the approach to disclosure and to the viability test in assessing affordable housing contributions and changes of use were being reviewed as part of the Local Plan Review.   However, local policy was required to conform to Government policy, and this made provision for affordable housing contributions to be subject to viability. It was agreed that a Viability Workshop would be useful for Members to better understand the process.