Issue - meetings

B (Copy herewith)

2.1      Cabinet resolved to confirm the Article 4 Direction made by the Council on 7 November 2019 the effect of which will be to remove permitted development rights for the change of use from Class C3 Dwellinghouses to Class C4 Houses In Multiple Occupation in the area of the Borough as shown on Map 1 and which will come into force on 13 November 2020.

Councillor Hill as the relevant Cabinet Member outlined the report.  Responses from the consultation carried out in November/December 2019 had been supportive and the Article 4 Direction now needed to be agreed.

Councillor McCutcheon addressed Cabinet and welcomed the report.  However, he expressed concern over parking problems – particularly where planning decisions had been overturned on appeal by the Inspectorate.  He queried whether there had been sufficient investment in enforcement, and asked whether the Article 4 Direction would be expanded into the growth areas beyond NBC’s boundaries as these areas would form part of the new West Northamptonshire Council.

In answering these concerns, Councillor Hill pointed out that a Supplementary Planning Document addressing parking issues had been brought to Cabinet a few months previously - the current report was concerned with process.  He considered that adequate resources were available for enforcement.  Expansion of the area covered would be an issue for consideration by the unitary council.

The Head of Planning noted that a need would have to be shown before the Secretary of State would agree to expansion of the area covered by the Article 4 Direction.  Setting up the new unitary council would be a prompt to do that.

RESOLVED:

2.1      That Cabinet confirms the Article 4 Direction made by the Council on 7 November 2019 the effect of which will be to remove permitted development rights for the change of use from Class C3 Dwellinghouses to Class C4 Houses In Multiple Occupation in the area of the Borough as shown on Map 1 and which will come into force on 13 November 2020.