We are currently consulting under Reg. 18 on our allocations document which will form part of our Core Strategy for Publication Consultation (Reg. 19). One of the site allocations has some planning history, (a large application on a Greenfield site refused on grounds that at the time the urban capacity study evidence did not demonstrate a need for release of the site, with the decision upheld at the appeal inquiry). At the inquiry there was a comment from the inspector relating to being transparent and consulting on our housing monitoring data, particularly with the private sector which the developer argued was not done. We are already planning and holding meetings with the development industry to look at the viability of our affordable housing targets and thresholds, of our plans overall, and also to discuss the methodology used in calculating our 5 year land supply and housing trajectory. In light of the NPPF and particularly the Duty to Co-operate, I wonder if anyone could please point me in the direction of any ‘best practice’ that covers this issue of consulting with the private sector, that might enhance or go beyond the approaches that we are already using, particularly in connection with Plans found to be sound; and/or give suggestions as to differing approaches and their relative successes?
