Object
Solihull Local Plan (Draft Submission) 2020
Representation ID: 14629
Received: 14/12/2020
Respondent: Heyford Developments Ltd (Dorridge Site)
Agent: Barton Willmore
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
The 5% requirement for self and custom build plots is unsound. It places the burden on developers only, and goes beyond the PPG which seeks local authorities to "engage" with landowners and "encourage" them to consider self-build and custom housebuilding.
The HEDNA suggests an ‘encouragement’ approach alongside a policy requirement for strategic sites. On the basis of the current Register, it identifies that Solihull should be seeking to deliver 116 plots per annum. However, over-reliance upon the Register should be cautioned against in justifying any policy percentage requirement, particularly given the criteria for expressing an interest are relatively limited i.e. whilst an individual may express an interest the degree to which this is a realistic ambition cannot be determined.
The following changes are required:
- The requirement to provide 5% on allocated sites of 100 dwellings or more should be replaced with an ‘encouragement’ to provide self-build on allocated sites of 100 dwellings or more having regard to the latest robust evidence.
- Point 2 of the policy should also be clear that after the marketing period (which should be less than 12 months), any unsold plots should revert back to the original developer.
See attached documents