Support
Solihull Local Plan (Draft Submission) 2020
Representation ID: 14624
Received: 14/12/2020
Respondent: Heyford Developments Ltd (Dorridge Site)
Agent: Barton Willmore
Supportive of the principles of the spatial strategy. ‘Exceptional circumstances’ exist to justify the release of Green Belt via the ‘balanced dispersal’ strategy. However, there is potential for further growth to be accommodated and the level of growth apportioned to settlements is not justified.
SA should test additional options. No justification for preferred level of growth, when a higher level of growth could be accommodated with similar impacts.
The extent to which the spatial strategy is being applied consistently is questionable. There is potential for further growth to be accommodated in rural settlements identified as suitable for development.
A clear and explicit settlement hierarchy should be added to reflect the Council’s approach.
Unrealistic to assume that further Green Belt release will not be necessary beyond the plan period. Safeguarded land should be identified in accordance with the spatial strategy.
The draft SLP should test additional reasonable alternatives for higher levels of growth (particularly for options between 16,000 and 19,000 dwellings) which includes the use of additional Green Belt site releases in accordance with the spatial strategy (over and above the current identified ‘Limited Green Belt Release’). The identification of additional Green Belt sites for consideration should be based upon a reappraisal of the Site Selection process. The potential for additional Green Belt release in accordance with the spatial strategy to deliver levels of growth over and above 19,000 dwellings should also be considered, as an alternative to the larger scale expansions of Balsall Common and Land South of A45 currently tested.
The draft SLP should include an explicit settlement hierarchy within the policy to guide the direction of this additional growth, focusing on those settlements identified as appropriate for development via the spatial strategy approach to date. This should reflect the range of facilities and services available with higher priority given to those settlements with sustainable transport links, particularly railway stations.
The draft SLP should identify safeguarded land in accordance with the spatial strategy to ensure longer term development needs are met.
See attached documents