7. Do you agree with the policies for the quality of place? If not why not and what alternatives would you suggest?
7.1 Policy 15 seeks to ensure that new development achieves delivery of high quality places which achieve inclusive and sustainable principles of design.
7.2 The policy seeks to ensure that new development responds to climate change and meets the requirements of Part M of the Building Regulations.
7.3 The government has created a new approach for the setting of technical standards for new housing. This rationalises the many differing existing standards into a simpler, streamlined system which will reduce burdens and help bring forward much needed new homes. The government set out its policy on the application of these standards in decision taking and plan making in a written ministerial statement, which also withdraws the Code for Sustainable Homes.
7.4 Given that all new residential development will need to meet the requirements of Building Regulations, BDW and Gallagher Estates Ltd are concerned that the reference to such through Policy 15 is unnecessary and simply repeats national planning policy.
7.5 Additionally, Policy 15 requires adherence of new residential development to the principles of Secured by Design.
7.6 Whilst BDW and Gallagher Estates Ltd are supportive of measures to improve the design quality of new development, mandatory Building Regulations covering the physical security of new dwellings came into force on 1 October 2015 and planning authorities should no longer seek to impose any additional requirements for security of individual dwellings through plan policies.
7.7 As drafted, Policy 15 would be unsound as it would not comply with national policy.
Actions required to achieve soundness
7.8 Policy 15 should be amended by omitting reference to the need to achieve compliance with Building Regulations as this is a requirement of other legislation.
7.9 Reference to Secured by Design should be omitted as this is now addressed through Building Regulations.