Issue - meetings

The Cabinet is requested to approve the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper for publication on the council’s website, to assist in the interpretation and implementation of existing planning policies in Oldham’s Local Plan.

The Cabinet received a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive  that sought approval for the publication of the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper on the council’s website, to assist in the interpretation and implementation of existing planning policies in Oldham’s Local Plan.

Cabinet was advised that the Interim Planning Position Paper supported the implementation of policies within Oldham's Local Plan – The Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Development Plan Document, adopted November 2011. The paper supersedes the previous ‘Affordable Housing Interim Planning Position Paper’ published by the council in March 2022.

The submitted report sets out the council's updated position in relation to:

a.    Housing mix – size, type and tenure – including housing mix for affordable housing;

b.    Affordable housing requirements, including affordable housing thresholds and exceptions (including the application of Vacant Building Credit).

c.    Housing in the Green Belt including the application of the affordable housing ‘Golden Rule’.

The paper was intended to be used as guidance for developers in preparing development proposals and as a material consideration when assessing planning applications and development proposals for residential development.

The report was intended to be read alongside PfE and the Local Plan as a whole, but in particular - PfE policy JP-H2 ‘Affordability of New Housing’, JP-H3 ‘Type, Size and Design of New Housing’ and also policy 3 ‘Address of Choice’, policy 10 ‘Affordable Housing’ and policy 11 ‘Housing’ of Oldham’s Local Plan.

The report was therefore informed by the council’s Local Housing Needs Assessment (LHNA) (2024). The LHNA was a key evidence base document and sets out information on local housing needs of different groups (including affordable housing, provision for older people and disabled people), housing mix – including size, tenure and type, and sets out recommendations and policy guidance.

The council's approach to updated national guidance and local evidence will be considered further and inform policy preparation as part of the Local Plan Review. 

The Cabinet was informed that the report had been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board, held on 12^th June 2025, where the recommendations were supported and endorsed.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1 - To approve the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper for publication on the council’s website, to assist in the interpretation and implementation of existing planning policies in Oldham’s Local Plan.

Option 2 – To not approve the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper for publication on the council’s website.

Option 1 was the preferred Option.

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet notes the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board endorsement and support for the recommendations, detailed in the submitted report, on this item, from their meeting held on 12^th June 2025.

2.    That the Cabinet notes that this item will be exempt from call-in, under Rule 14 of the Constitution, as the report has already been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board.

3.    That the Cabinet approves the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper for publication  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17

To scrutinise the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper prior to publication on the council’s website, to assist in the interpretation and implementation of existing planning policies in Oldham’s Local Plan.

The Scrutiny Board received a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive  that sought approval, from the Cabinet, for the publication of the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper on the council’s website, to assist in the interpretation and implementation of existing planning policies in Oldham’s Local Plan.

Members were advised that the Interim Planning Position Paper supported the implementation of policies within Oldham's Local Plan – The Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Development Plan Document, adopted November 2011. The paper supersedes the previous ‘Affordable Housing Interim Planning Position Paper’ published by the council in March 2022.

The submitted report set out the council's updated position in relation to:

a.    Housing mix – size, type and tenure – including housing mix for affordable housing;

b.    Affordable housing requirements, including affordable housing thresholds and exceptions (including the application of Vacant Building Credit).

c.    Housing in the Green Belt including the application of the affordable housing ‘Golden Rule’.

The report was intended to be used as guidance for developers in preparing development proposals and as a material consideration when assessing planning applications and development proposals for residential development.

The report was intended to be read alongside PfE and the Local Plan as a whole, but in particular - PfE policy JP-H2 ‘Affordability of New Housing’, JP-H3 ‘Type, Size and Design of New Housing’ and also policy 3 ‘Address of Choice’, policy 10 ‘Affordable Housing’ and policy 11 ‘Housing’ of Oldham’s Local Plan.

The report was therefore informed by the council’s Local Housing Needs Assessment (LHNA) (2024). The LHNA was a key evidence base document and sets out information on local housing needs of different groups (including affordable housing, provision for older people and disabled people), housing mix – including size, tenure and type, and sets out recommendations and policy guidance.

The council's approach to updated national guidance and local evidence will be considered further and inform policy preparation as part of the Local Plan Review. 

Options/alternatives to be considered by the Cabinet:

Option 1 - To approve the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper for publication on the council’s website, to assist in the interpretation and implementation of existing planning policies in Oldham’s Local Plan.

Option 2 – To not approve the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper for publication on the council’s website.

Option 1 was the preferred Option.

The Scrutiny Board were informed that the report was due to be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 16^th June 2025 and any comments from this Scrutiny Board would be taken into consideration, prior to a decision being made thereon.

Resolved:

1.    That the Scrutiny Board notes and endorses the report.

2.    That the Cabinet, at its meeting on 16^th June, be requested to approve the recommendations detailed in the submitted report.