CDC_Committee_10_September_2025
At yesterday’s planning committee, our reminder of councillors’ duty to deliver on housing targets was branded “shocking.” The key consideration was the impact on the National Landscape, and we simply reminded members of the balance to be struck in light of their lack of housing land supply.
Councillors themselves have written to the Government highlighting that changes to the standard method have left them without a five-year housing land supply and exposed taxpayers to costly appeal losses. At committee, we pointed out the obvious solution: if Members approve sustainable housing development, members can avoid wasting public funds defending indefensible refusals. That statement of fact appeared to shock members.
We fully appreciate that landscape impact is, to a degree, a subjective matter. However, the recommendation for refusal in this case appears to fly in the face of both the council’s own published evidence and the findings of an independent appeal inspector. Coupled with the very real need to provide housing, to disregard these established conclusions risks undermining the credibility of the decision-making process.
Planning is not a political game. It must be objective, evidence-led, consistent and in line with national planning policy. Reminding councillors of their obligations and evidence to weigh into the planning balance — and highlighting the cost to the taxpayer of ignoring them — is a professional responsibility. What is shocking about that?
Please see link to the livestream of CDC Planning and Licensing Committee meeting (10/09/2025).
