Development Plan Committee and Selby & Ainsty Area Committee Comments
Notes/Comments from DPC
Following the introduction, a discussion took place, the key points of which can be seen below.
C1 Members sought further information on how any decision by Executive to halt development of the Selby Local Plan would affect the area and what policies would apply in assessing planning applications. Officers emphasised that having sought legal advice, in certain limited circumstances the developing local plan would carry weight as it approached completion, even before it was submitted to the Secretary of State for approval which was currently anticipated to take place in 2028.
C2 It was recognised that the changes in circumstances imposed by the NPPF, combined with the recent guidance given by Government to the Planning Inspectorate in 2024, which clarified that inspectors were no longer to allocate resources to resolving outstanding matters, meant that it would not be feasible to continue developing the Selby Local Plan. While some transitional arrangements had been provided for in the new NPPF, the Selby Local Plan was not at a sufficiently advanced stage to be able to make use of these. Members highlighted the importance of localising work on the North Yorkshire Local Plan and ensuring local views were represented.
C3 Members discussed the issue of land supply, and how housing targets would be allocated to different areas under the North Yorkshire Local Plan. Officers advised that the area would move towards a 5-year land supply, although this would be a difficult process. It was also asked whether housing targets should be allocated across the whole county, rather than being disaggregated along former district and borough boundaries. Advice had been sought from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government on this point, and officers were currently assessing over 1,500 sites which had been submitted.
C4 Members asked officers to ensure that Development Management and Policy communicated closely and ensured that comments were provided in writing and included in reports. It was recognised that the evidence base at its current stage was not adequate to support a Selby Local Plan but could be used to inform development of the wider North Yorkshire Local Plan.
C5 The need to balance the revised development targets and the impact on local communities was also emphasised, along with a strong desire for Development Plan Committee members and local members to be closely involved in forming the new North Yorkshire Local Plan. Officers advised that the Issues and Options Consultation was expected to begin in May 2025, and would provide an opportunity for local people to engage in development of the policy.
Notes/Comments from AC
Following the introduction, a discussion took place, the key points of which can be seen below.
C6 It was clarified that if a decision is taken to cease work on the Selby Local Plan, appropriate weight can be given to some of the evidence base when specific sites are in question. One of the recommendations is that the Council uses sites identified within the draft Selby Local Plan as the starting point for discussions. It was also recognised that the current evidence base would be deemed inadequate if the Selby Local Plan was submitted.
C7 Members were informed that communities would be engaged with regarding the identification of sites during the development of the NYC Local Plan and that work with NYC regeneration will go ahead to take advantage of arising opportunities. Members reminded Officers to engage with Parish and Town Councils.
C8 Members raised that the Selby Local Plan was delayed due to Local Government Reorganisation.
C9 It was highlighted that if the Selby Local Plan is continued, there would be a significant cost – some suggested that these resources would be better spent on developing the NYC Local Plan.
C10 It was noted that whilst Sherburn In Elmet may not have received sufficient allocations based on recent growth, some infrastructure had been developed. Members reinforced the need for increasing housing supply but providing adequate infrastructure.
C11 Members asked that liaison between development management and policy be improved to ensure that applications not in the Local Plan are given the correct steer.
C12 There were concerns that some areas in North Yorkshire would be allocated for more housing than others. Officers informed Members that decisions on allocations had not yet been made but that consultations would take place at the appropriate time.
C13 Officers reported that they are seeking clarification from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on whether the 5-year housing land supply figure for the NYC Local Plan is calculated as one figure for the County, or separate figures for each of the current planning areas.
C14 The Committee reinforced the view that NYC should work to deliver appropriate sites and infrastructure and highlighted that there should be liaison between development management and policy.