Object
Solihull Local Plan (Draft Submission) 2020
Representation ID: 13845
Received: 09/12/2020
Respondent: Sophia Hobbins
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
Objection (Wants site BC3 removed from Solihull Draft Submission Local Plan and Final Local Plan): Fails 3/4 tests of soundness.
> Not positively prepared as it is not practical to deliver the unmet need of the HMA (2105 units). NPPF para. 11 has not been given due consideration. To build 4410 units (Greenfield) and 1195 units (Meridian Gap) is not required to comply with planning policy. Furthermore, site BC3 specifically is not sustainable using the council’s own criteria.
> Allocation of site BC3 has not been justified. Omission of sites within Balsall common and in the wider Borough which should have been chosen based on merit or for which the omission has not been justified. Final findings from Solihull Town Centre Masterplan are not incorporated and cannot be reconciled with the Draft Local Plan.
>Inconsistencies with the NPPF, specifically para 1; 94; 108; 109; 122; 138; 185 and 194 are not complied with. Sustainable development will not be complied with if site BC3 remains in the Draft Local Plan.
>Wishes to preserve the biodiverse rich habitat that is Site BC3 and protect the character of the Grade II Listed Berkswell Windmill.
Objection to Site BC3 - Fails 3 out 4 Tests of Soundness
I wish to formerly object to Site BC3 Windmill Lane/Kenilworth Road and ask that it isremoved from the Solihull Draft Submission Local Plan and Final Local Plan.
The Draft Submission Local Plan is not sound, in proposing the allocation of Site BC3 for housing, as it fails to comply with 3 of the 4 tests of Soundness:
1) Positively Prepared:
The plan has not been positively prepared in that it is not practical to deliver the unmet need of the HMA (2105 units). NPPF para. 11 has not been given due consideration. To build 4410 units on Green Belt Land (greenfield) and 1195 in the Meriden Gap is not required in order to comply with planning policy. Moreover, it is demonstrated that Site BC3 specifically is not sustainable using the Council’s own criteria.
2) Justified:
The allocation of site BC3 has not been justified. There are omission sites both within Balsall Common and in the wider borough which either should have been allocated, based on merit, or for which the omission has not been justified. Moreover, the findings from the final version of the masterplan for Solihull Town Centre are not incorporated and cannot be reconciled with the Draft Local Plan.
3) Consistent with National Policy:
There are inconsistencies with the NPPF. Specifically paragraphs 11; 94; 108; 109; 122; 138; 185 and 194 are not complied with. As such, the enabling of sustainable development will not be delivered should Site BC3 remain in the Draft Local Plan.
I wish to protect the biodiverse rich habitat that is Site BC3 and I also wish to protect the setting and character of the Grade II * Listed Berkswell Windmill.