Agenda item - Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter and pre-application charges

To consider the report of the Director of City Development.

Agreed:

RESOLVED that:-

(1) the Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter, including the draft pre-application charges, be approved as the basis for public consultation commencing on 04 December 2023;

(2) delegated authority be granted to the Director of City Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for City Development, to agree minor changes to the Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter and draft pre-application charges before publication for consultation;

(3) delegated authority be granted to the Director of City Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for City Development, to agree a change to the consultation start date if required;

(4) delegated authority be granted to the Director of City Development in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for City Development to make any necessary minor modifications to the Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter and draft pre-application charges following public consultation; and

(5) the outcome of the public consultation for the Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter and the draft pre-application charges be reported back to the Executive for Council approval and that both documents be published on the City Council`s website.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report on the Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter, which set out the City Council's commitment to work collaboratively with all those delivering developments in Exeter as part of the Exeter Design Quality Partnership and would help to frame the proposal to introduce pre-application charges.

Before adopting the Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter, it was proposed that a six week consultation be undertaken with the key stakeholders who would be impacted by the implementation of pre-application charges, allowing them to provide feedback and insights to help shape the Charter.

Particular reference was made to the five elements in the charter and the independent design review process in place with Design West, which had been running for a year.

Members were referred to the pre application charges set out in the report and to the developer’s forum which would enable more collaboration with the users of the planning service. The Charter was designed to raise the standard of proposals, in having better engagement, more collaboration, and ultimately better outcomes for the city that could be delivered through the planning process. A subsequent report would be presented to the Executive and Council for approval following the consultation

Councillor Moore, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item and welcomed the principle of charging for pre application advice. She sought clarification on residents would be included in the consultation process, which she felt was essential in being open to residents and giving them confidence in the planning system.

Councillor M. Mitchell, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item and enquired on whether the charges would vary by the size of a development and whether there was scaling built in? He also enquired if there was any indication of any anticipated income?

Councillor Jobson, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item and supported the recommendations.

During the discussion the following points were made:

· the inclusion for measuring outcomes against key social, economic, and environmental performance was welcomed; and

· thanks were given to the officers involved in developing the Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter, which would provide a better service for all residents and developers, in the city.

Leader requested that the questions raised in the discussion be sent in for a response to be provided.