A planning policy which allowed housing developers to overturn rejected applications for new schemes has been scrapped by the Welsh Government.
As it stood, the policy, known as TAN 1, meant local authorities in Wales had to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.
As Caerphilly County Borough Council does not have this, planning applications for housing developments rejected by the local authority were likely to get the go-ahead on appeal to the Welsh Government.
Recent examples of this include a 300-home development in Bedwas by Land Matters Ltd; a 260-home development by Redrow in Hendredenny, near Trecenydd; and a 175-home scheme on Oakdale Golf Course.
However TAN 1 has now been temporarily suspended by Lesley Griffiths AM, the Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, pending a review.
Speaking at a recent planning event at Cardiff and Vale College, she said: “Over the summer I intend to undertake a call for evidence on the delivery of housing through the planning system.
“In support of the review, I intend to dis-apply paragraph 6.2 of TAN 1. This would remove the emphasis placed on giving increased weight to the absence of a five-year land supply when dealing with planning applications.
“This will help alleviate some of the immediate pressures on local planning authorities when dealing with speculative planning applications for housing.”
Caerphilly AM Hefin David has been lobbying the Welsh Government on the issue and welcomed the change.
He said: “I’ve raised this issue time and again in the Assembly Chamber since being elected two years ago. The primary objective is to protect the green areas of Caerphilly and encourage the development of affordable housing in areas of most need, not simply in response to market demand.
“Having seen appeals being granted in my constituency, against the wishes of residents, I’m glad to see a new policy from the Welsh Government.
“I would hope and expect that the removal of TAN 1 will deter developers making appeals for unpopular planning applications in the future”.
In October last year, Caerphilly County Borough Council agreed a motion calling for the suspension of TAN 1 .
Council leader Dave Poole said: “The calculation of the five-year land supply has been distorted by the house building recession during 2008 to 2012 and the low outputs during this period.
“Developers have taken advantage of this miscalculation and gained development rights through the appeal process against the decisions of the democratically elected planning committee.
“I welcome the decision of the cabinet secretary to in effect transfer planning decisions from Cardiff Bay back to Caerphilly Council.”
Independent Blackwood councillor Nigel Dix also welcomed the news.
He said: “I have be campaigning with residents at Grove Park, Blackwood, to save green fields from being developed for housing.
“We have been asking for the suspension of TAN 1 as it has been used by developers to appeal rejected planning applications. I would like to thank the Minister and AM Hefin David for listening to concerns of residents.
“This decision will put the power in hands of locally elected councillors who sit on the planning committee.”
Not good news it’s not democracy..
It’s OK for the council to sell off playing fields and old council buildings for housing to developers.
And put it into the hands of councilers on the building committee.
So its given the power of deciding what planning permission go through to Caerphilly Councillors, what could possibly go wrong? More corruption and more back handers so housing developments get the go ahead. I once saw a film with my grandson many years ago which said with great power comes great responsibilty. Members of the council should remember this.
It’s good news that Developers cannot now easily overturn council decisions to refuse planning permission – but it is not good news that this is now entirely under control of the council.
There are definitely occasions where the council refuse planning permission and developers should rightfully have the legitimate opportunity to challenge such decisions.
This moves puts a bias in favour of the council and that cannot be right.
Welsh Ministers need to take heed of public opinion rather than the whims of councillors
The Planning Law’s, Should be changed Making Developers who apply and get permission. A Time Limit for commencing work on the Development.
Example, Site work should start within 2yrs of gaining Planning Permission.
There are developers out there,Renewing planning application every 5 yrs.
This should stop(Land Banking), if a site isn’t started within 2yrs of gaining planning. The Approval should be withdraw, And no further application’s allowed on that scheme(Site) The site should then be Compulsory Purchased. By the Authority
For Social Housing or other Public use Sport’s fields.0r Dog Walker’s, There are sites out there not developed, but were given planning, in the LDP OF 2010.