{"id":48579,"date":"2021-01-29T15:35:09","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T15:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=48579"},"modified":"2021-01-29T15:35:10","modified_gmt":"2021-01-29T15:35:10","slug":"councillors-clash-over-changes-to-planning-applications-for-developers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2021\/01\/29\/councillors-clash-over-changes-to-planning-applications-for-developers\/","title":{"rendered":"Councillors clash over changes to planning applications for developers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Proposals to take more ‘robust’ approach leads to tense debate between Labour and Conservative councillors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A MOTION to strengthen the council\u2019s planning enforcement regime prompted a heated discussion between Labour and Conservative councillors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conservative councillor Sean Driscoll proposed the motion at last night’s Cardiff Council meeting, supported by fellow Conservative councillor Joel Williams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They commented that some developers had failed to fulfil the conditions of their planning permission and called for developers to ensure they comply with conditions and Section 106 obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also called on the Cabinet to bring forward a report detailing how these conditions will be enforced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Labour councillor Michael Michael said that the motion was \u201ca bit of electioneering by two candidates for the next election\u201d and described it as \u201cembarrassing\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a section 106 agreement?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section 106 agreements are made between local authorities and developers during the planning application process, and serve three key purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They can prescribe what the land is used for, such as ensuring that a given proportion of the development is affordable housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They can compensate for loss or damage caused by a development, such as making sure an open space is adequately replaced<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, they can mitigate the impact of a development, by requiring the developer to provide community facilities or increased public transport access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section 106 agreements are legally binding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes proposed by Conservative councillors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coun Sean Driscoll said Cardiff had \u201cmissed a massive golden opportunity\u201d by allowing major developers to purchase land but not enforcing Section 106 agreements and conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He argued that communities near new developments face a \u201cliving nightmare\u201d of traffic chaos and that developers should be required to provide public transport and facilities prior to their main development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remarking that 106 agreements \u201care useless if nobody sticks to them, even more useless if they are not enforced to the benefit of the very communities they are supposed to protect,\u201d Coun Driscoll said: \u201cThis is a perception in Cardiff West, and North-East, that we are a council not being robust enough with developers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re too soft.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

In #cdfcouncil<\/a> meeting. My Cardiff Conservative colleagues @Sean4Llandaff<\/a> and @JoelTory<\/a> leading on our motion calling on Cardiff\u2019s new developments to have community facilities constructed at agreed time to benefit new residents. Watch at https:\/\/t.co\/qfud27jCa8<\/a> (@WelshConserv<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/S4QmPiaLGZ<\/a><\/p>— Adrian Robson (@Adrian1Robson) January 28, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>