Object
Solihull Local Plan (Draft Submission) 2020
Representation ID: 14712
Received: 11/12/2020
Respondent: Mr James Mc Bride
Agent: Tyler Parkes Partnership Ltd
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Yes
Policy KN2 is unsound on the basis that insufficient evidence has been provided to demonstrate the site is deliverable with ‘multiple and potential complex land assembly issues’ (paragraph 709) still remining to be resolved, as well as replacement playing fields. There is also insufficient evidence to demonstrate that reasonable alternatives have been considered in reaching the decision to relocate and rebuild Arden School, to justify that it is an appropriate strategy. This is contrary to the deliverability and developability requirements for site allocations and the requirement to justify a strategy as
set out in National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Appendix 2: Glossary and paragraphs 35, 67 and 72.
The need to demonstrate deliverability and developability has not been evidenced. The Concept Masterplan
document appears to reinforce the lack of a comprehensive agreed approach with three concept plans included in addition to the SMBC Illustrative Concept Masterplan.
There is concern that there is no detailed evidence to justify the need for the replacement and upgrade of Arden Academy Secondary School and the development of a new Primary School.
Our Client contends that insufficient evidence has been provided to justify Policy KN2, to robustly demonstrate that:
• the multiple complex land assembly issues have been overcome and there is agreement by all landowners to the site being brought forward on the development basis set out in the Concept Masterplan document;
• the demolition of Arden Academy and its relocation to a new site within the proposed KN2 site allocation is the most appropriate strategy having regard to reasonable alternatives; and
• there is a fully developed masterplan strategy with appropriate playing pitch replacement strategy.
19. Policy KN2 is currently unsound, when assessed against the requirements for policies and proposals to be justified as set out at NPPF paragraph 35 b).
Evidence has not been provided to demonstrate that: 600 dwellings could be delivered in the periods 0-5 years and 5 to 10 years from 2020 or that the proposed mixed use development with relocation of Arden Academy is an
appropriate strategy, taking into account the reasonable alternatives.
20. Paragraphs 225 and 226 should therefore be amended to remove the estimated contribution of proposed site allocation KN2 from Delivery Phases I and II and Policy KN2 amended as necessary in the light of the findings of additional evidence gathering, negotiations with landowners and masterplan work.
see attached representation forms