Object

Draft Local Plan - Supplementary Consultation

Representation ID: 7385

Received: 11/03/2019

Respondent: Golden End Farms

Agent: Delta Planning

Representation Summary:

No. Such an approach is highly complex and open to abuse.

We disagree that the existing approach of a percentage calculated on unit numbers leads to an incentive on developers to increase the size of units and reduce numbers. Developers ultimately seek to build houses and will bring forward schemes that reflect market demand and what they can sell in terms of size and mix of new homes. Oversizing of units is not in a developer's interest.

Please see full representation.

Full text:

No. Such an approach is highly complex and open to abuse.

We disagree that the existing approach of a percentage calculated on unit numbers leads to an incentive on developers to increase the size of units and reduce numbers. Developers ultimately seek to build houses and will bring forward schemes that reflect market demand and what they can sell in terms of size and mix of new homes. Oversizing of units is not in a developer's interest. The existing Meeting Housing Needs SPD for affordable housing requires the private and affordable to be similar in size and this is a more straightforward way of securing more smaller units and higher densities.

An affordable housing target calculated based on floorspace has been tried by Stratford-upon-Avon Council for example, but was dropped in favour of the more straightforward and equally effective approach based on unit numbers and separate policy on unit type and mix.

It is also important to bear in mind that a high density development will not be the best option for every housing development in every location across the District. Other considerations need to be taken into account such as the need to respect local character, a key priority expressed for example in the Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath Neighbourhood Plan. This specifically states that emphasis within the Neighbourhood Plan is on respecting the existing character and appearance of the Area (and the generally lower than average housing density), while recognising that higher density housing has its place. There clearly needs to be a balanced approach to ensure that the right size and mix of both affordable and market housing is provided across the district without overriding other policy priorities.

Attachments: