Rural Forum to discuss green belt land used for farming.

Councillor Coppinger, Lead Member for Planning informed the Forum that the Panel wanted to hear the views of the farming committee. Councillor Coppinger introduced Ashley Smith, Deputy Head of Planning to answer any specific questions.

Points raised by the Forum included:

·         The borough would like to preserve the green belt land, farmers would like to preserve the most as they use for farming.

·         80% of the borough is countryside.

·         Farmers were concerned that not many Members attended the Rural Forum. Wycombe District Council have more commitment to the farmers and many more Members attend the meetings.

·         Green belt land was best used for farming.

·         Mr Copas asked the Deputy Head of Planning why the three planning applications they had submitted had been refused and at appeal, all costs had been awarded. The applications were for affordable housing. Applicants would like practical support from the planning team. Ashley Smith informed Mr Copas that he would be happy to look into these and speak out of the Forum to Mr Copas.

·         Councillor Colin Rayner asked how did it take to determine a planning application. Ashley Smith informed the Forum that the timescales varied depending on the complexity of the application, quality of the submission and whether any additional information/evidence was required.

·         Councillor Colin Rayner reminded Rural Forum Members that they can approach their Ward Councillor, Parish Council and could also consult planning for advice. Ashley Smith confirmed that pre application advice was always available. The timescale for a response was five to six weeks.

·         Mr Copas informed the Forum that the pre application advice was very useful, however a time line to responses would be very helpful. Copas Farms had asked for pre application advise in December 2016 and were still awaiting a response. Members were not impressed with this information. Councillor David Evans informed the Forum that if no response was received, Ward Councillors should be contacted.

·         It was always difficult to speak to the planning officers.

·         Better communication was required.

·         Nick Philp asked what happened to the S106 funds and suggested that the council be more transparent. Ashley Smith informed the Forum that a record is maintained of how it is gathered and spent.

·         CIL was discussed and if this was a consideration when planning applications were permitted. It was explained that this was not a consideration and that all developments paid monies towards CIL that paid towards infrastructure and housing. CIL was important but it was not a determining factor.

·         Councillor Beer discussed the north, south divide and that there was more pressure on the south for housing.

·         The north of the borough had many large houses, more smaller properties were required for working people. Through the Local Borough Plan, there would be many more smaller homes, both social housing and affordable private housing.

·         The council to consider that with the rapid expansion of residents, leisure facilities should be supported.

·         Are there any ways to restrict smaller houses extending to become large houses in planning policy. Ashley Smith informed the Forum that it was very difficult to do this.

·         The Local Borough Plan had to be submitted by the end of January 2018.