Issue - meetings

The Draft SPG: Managing the Use of Dwellings as Holiday Accommodation (Second Homes and Short-Term Holiday Accommodation) was considered as well as any comments and any necessary amendments as appropriate. ⁠

It was approved to release the draft Supplementary Planning Guidance: Managing the Use of Dwellings as Second Homes (subject to any necessary amendments) for the public consultation period. ⁠ ⁠

It was approved to delegate the right to the Head of Environment Department to make any insignificant amendments that may be required to the draft SPG. ⁠⁠

The report was submitted by the Assistant Head of Department.

DECISION

The Draft SPG: Managing the Use of Dwellings as Holiday Accommodation (Second Homes and Short-Term Holiday Accommodation), was considered and comments were provided as well as any necessary amendments as appropriate. ⁠

Approval was given to release the draft Supplementary Planning Guidance: ⁠ Managing the Use of Dwellings as Holiday Accommodation (subject to any necessary amendments) for a public consultation period.

It was approved to delegate the right to the Head of the Environment Department to make any non-material amendments that may be required to the draft SPG. ⁠⁠

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted stating that the Article 4 Direction came into effect on 1 September 2024 following its confirmation at the Cabinet meeting of 16 July, 2024. Reference was made to the implications of the Article 4 Direction stating that planning permission is now required to be obtained for certain change of use developments. It was explained that the decisions on those applications were made in accordance with the Joint Local Development Plan namely the adopted plan for the area. It was explained that this was the statutory requirement as a result of recent legislative changes.

It was noted that the Department was in the process of preparing a new plan and that the work of creating new policies was currently underway. It was explained that the intention of the Draft Supplementary Planning Guide included in Appendix 1 was to provide detailed guidance as to the application of the Department's current planning policies that emanate from the Article 4 direction. It was deemed that this Guidance will aid the Authority in making decisions on planning applications.

It was added that the Guidance needed to be consistent with the Council's current planning policies and provide clear guidance. It was noted that the draft Guidance had already been reported to the Planning Policy Working Group twice with reference to the Working Group's comments included in part 3.7 of the report.

It was noted that the Guidance was effectively a temporary measure until the Department had completed the process of developing and adopting the new Local Development Plan. Reference was made on part 3.8 of the report which outlined the next steps in the process and undertaking a public consultation period of 6 weeks. 

Observations arising from the discussion:

•           The Assistant Head of Department was asked to elaborate on the role of the Working Group and their input.

o          In response it was explained that a draft version of the Supplementary Planning Guidance had been submitted to the Working Group in November 2024. It was noted that the Working Group had concerns about the guidance included for applications to change the use of a house to a second home; as a result of these concerns amendments were made to the Guidance. It was reported that the Working Group was pleased with the changes reported to them in December 2024 and supported releasing the Guidance for public consultation.