Issue - meetings

This report asks Cabinet to agree to adopt the advice from Natural England that all new developments should be nutrient neutral in respect of phosphates to protect the River Avon Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Ramsar site.

This will require all applicants seeking planning permission for new homes in the Christchurch area to demonstrate they have secured phosphate mitigation measures before we can register the planning application. This is an additional up-front requirement placed upon applicants.

This report sets out our proposed interim approach while clarity on the national picture set out in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill is understood. Through the BCP Local Plan we will develop a strategy to prevent housing sites becoming stalled and provide certainty to the market.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           Cabinet approve the proposed change to the planning application validation requirements to require applicants seeking a net increase in homes in the Christchurch area to demonstrate they have secured phosphorous mitigation; and

(b)           Cabinet note that this approach will be reviewed in line with the development of the BCP Local Plan and Royal Assent of revisions to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, and revisions to the approach will be brought back to Cabinet.

Voting: Nem. Con.

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places

Reason

The Council as competent authority under the Habitats Regulations needs to be certain that the adverse impact of phosphates from new development upon water quality can be mitigated.

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that this report sought agreement to adopt the advice from Natural England that all new developments should be nutrient neutral in respect of phosphates to protect the River Avon Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Ramsar site.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that this would require all applicants seeking planning permission for new homes in the Christchurch area to demonstrate they have secured phosphate mitigation measures before the planning application could be registered. This was an additional up-front requirement placed upon applicants.

Cabinet was further advised that the report set out our proposed interim approach while clarity on the national picture set out in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill is understood, and that through the BCP Local Plan we will develop a strategy to prevent housing sites becoming stalled and provide certainty to the market.

It was noted in relation to the public statement credits could be used to provide more effective measures to support better water quality. Cabinet was advised that this was an extremely important issue that was required to ensure that the natural environment could be protected. The advice from Natural England was that the impact of development in Christchurch was minimal in comparison to areas further up the river. The Cabinet was advised on the number of developments being impacted by the proposals.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           Cabinet approved the proposed change to the planning application validation requirements to require applicants seeking a net increase in homes in the Christchurch area to demonstrate they have secured phosphorous mitigation; and

(b)           Cabinet noted that this approach will be reviewed in line with the development of the BCP Local Plan and Royal Assent of revisions to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, and revisions to the approach will be brought back to Cabinet.

Voting: Nem. Con.

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places

Reason

The Council as competent authority under the Habitats Regulations needs to be certain that the adverse impact of phosphates from new development upon water quality can be mitigated.