In November 2014 the government introduced changes to the Planning Practice Guidance which meant that Local Planning Authorities were unable to seek contributions towards affordable housing from developments of 10 or fewer dwellings and had to apply a Vacant Building Credit which reduced any affordable housing provision from larger sites. The approach that the Council needed to take with respect of Sites and Housing Policy HP4 in particular was reported to Council on 2nd Feb 2015.

Subsequently, West Berks and Reading Council’s legally challenged the Government and on 31 July 2015 succeeded in quashing those elements of the Planning Practice Guidance. This report is to confirm the approach that the Council will now take in relation to these matters.

Council had before it a report recommending how affordable housing contributions will be sought in the light of the amended national Planning Practice Guidance.

Councillor Price moved and Councillor Turner seconded the report.

Council agreed to:

1.    endorse the recommended approach set out in the report and Appendix 4; and

2.    agree that it is not revoking or modifying Policies HP3 and HP4, that they retain the status of up-to-date adopted development plan policies under s38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 but the Council is acknowledging the likely effect of the amended national Planning Practice Guidance.