In order to make this policy sound, the allocation should be extended to include Land at Meeting House Lane (part of site 102 in the Site Assessment October 2020).

Policy BC1 Barratt’s Farm, Balsall Common
This policy is not considered to be sound for the following reasons.
It is noted that the proposed allocation at Barratt’s Farm, Balsall Common has been reduced from 900 dwellings at the Draft Local Plan Supplementary Consultation to 875 dwellings (albeit a further 300 could come forward followingthe completion of HS2), and yet still does not look to include the Spitfire site which borders the southern boundary of the proposed allocation. As has been set out previously Spitfire do not object to the principle of an allocation in this location, however questions have been raised over the number of dwellings that can actually be accommodated on the site having regard to the site constraints including designated heritage assets, ecology and potential areas of floor risk. There also appears to be a significant number of landowners which raises further questions over the deliverability of the scheme. This matter is raised at paragraph 541 of the Draft Submission Plan.
As is set out in paragraph 536 of the Draft Submission Plan, Balsall Common is identified for significant housing growth and as part of this significant infrastructure improvements are also proposed for the settlement. these are detailed in paragraphs 527-535 of the Draft Submission Plan and include a relief road, enhanced centre, station parking, improved public transport, new primary school, and improvements to the existing secondary school. As such the settlement is going to change significantly over the plan period and is able to take additional growth over and above that already proposed in the Local Plan.
Land at Meeting House Lane (part of site 102 in the Site Assessment October 2020) has previously been put forward as being suitable for development. This site provides a very logical rounding off of the proposed Barretts Farm development utilising an existing agricultural field bounded by roads to the east and south together with residential development to the west. The Site Assessment carried out by the Council suggests that this site could be considered as part of a larger site subject to constraints. This site is not affected by other known constraints, for example, listed buildings. With the questions being raised as to the deliverability of the Barratt’s Farm site, it would be sensible to include this additional land to ensure that the housing numbers being proposed within this allocation can actually be met. Equally with the sites removal from the Green Belt, there is nothing to prevent this site coming forward for development in the short term.
This site is available immediately and is being actively promoted by Spitfire Homes. There are no known constraints which would prevent delivery. The site is adjacent to existing development and the proposed allocation at Barratts Farm. Development of this site would represent a logical rounding off of the Barratts Farm allocation. As there are questions over the land holdings at Barratt’s Farm, this site can easily be delivered within the next five years providing much needed housing in Balsall Common in the short term.

Modifications required to make the plan sound
In order to make this policy sound, the allocation should be extended to include Land at Meeting House Lane (part of site 102 in the Site Assessment October 2020).