Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no declarations.

To agree the draft public minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2023.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the last meeting held on 27 April 2023 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Planning and Development Director.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Planning and Development Director, which set out options for updating policies to ensure that sufficient housing supply was identified to meet statutory requirements.

An Officer advised that national guidance set out in the NPPF and guidance in the London Plan had to be taken into account. Outside of London, the calculation of housing need was undertaken using a standard method set out by the government. This was based on household projections, population projections and affordability. Although this method was not used in the City, the figure had been calculated and was 101 units per annum.

Members were informed that within London, the housing target for each of the London Boroughs and the City was set within the London Plan, which set out a 10-year target rather than an annual target. From 2019-2028/29 the City had a target of 1,460 dwellings. This target was capacity-based and was calculated in 2017 on the likely availability and deliverability of housing in the City over that period. The Sub-Committee were informed that beyond 2028-2029, the London Plan stated that this target should continue to be considered, and account should also be taken of any additional issues identified locally.

The Officer stated that the London Plan therefore set a target of approximately 146 dwellings per year compared with the national figure of approximately 101 dwellings per year if the national calculation was used.

The Officer advised that both nationally and in London, Local Plans were required to identify a sufficient supply of housing to meet the housing need for at least five years with a buffer of 5% to allow for sites not coming forward. Within the first five-year period, the sites had to be specific and deliverable housing sites, either allocated in plans or with planning permission

Report of the Planning and Development Director.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Planning and Development Director which set out options for updating policies to ensure there was sufficient accommodation to meet the growing visitor numbers.

Members were informed that the approach in the current Local Plan had encouraged hotels in appropriate locations and the clustering of hotels particularly near the Tower of London and around the St Paul’s area had been encouraged. This followed on from work undertaken in 2009 which looked at hotel need and demand. Since then, the policy had delivered hotels in appropriate locations and enabled many older buildings, particularly listed buildings to continue to be used as these buildings were often more suitable for hotel use and could be more easily divided into bedroom sized spaces rather than open spaces for office use.

An Officer stated that it had been expected as a result of the covid pandemic, that demand would decrease. However, there had been significant demand for new hotel development in the City. This demand had been largely driven by hotel chains in Europe. Hoteliers and developers had seen post-covid demand was returning. This fitted in with the Destination City approach. The potential demand would be considered in more detail to plan the approach rather than allow pepper-potting. People visiting the City increased footfall and enlivened it and they should be provided with opportunities to stay in the City. It was also recognised that business travel was returning.

A hotel study had been commissioned from Avison Young. They had looked at the significant growth of hotels in the City over the last 10-15 years. There had been a 41% growth in hotels and 51% growth in hotel bedrooms. This was largely in 4* hotels or limited service hotels (hotels which provided clean and comfortable ensuite facilitates, 24 hour

There were no questions.

Technical Briefing for Members of the Planning and Transportation Committee

The Chairman requested that Officers arrange a technical briefing on the Local Plan for Members of the Planning and Transportation Committee in September 2023, before it was submitted to the Planning and Transportation Committee in October 2023.