6. Richborough Estates is fully supportive of the proposal to remove land at Frog Lane, Balsall Common from the Green Belt and allocate the site for housing purposes (Site 2). This emerging allocation is also recognised in the recently published draft Balsall Parish Neighbourhood Development Plan. There is no doubt that, in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework, Balsall Common is a sustainable location for growth, development would be directed towards a settlement inset within the Green Belt and the settlement is well-served by public transport.

7. The capacity of the Frog Lane site is assessed to be circa 110 dwellings and the draft Concept Masterplans document echo what was originally proposed by Richborough Estates.

8. However, Richborough Estates has taken the opportunity to update the Promotional Brochure for 'The Oaks' previously submitted to the Council in July 2016. The up-dated Promotional Brochure (January 2019) refines the proposal and reflects the ability to provide vehicular access from Balsall Street East via another property that is controlled by Richborough Estates. This alternative access reduces the length of highway needing to cross the field which is proposed to be retained for biodiversity benefits. The biodiversity benefits would provide the type of compensatory improvements to environmental quality and accessibility sought by the Framework when land is released from the Green Belt.

9. A landscape-led approach to the master planning of the site remains as a key principle with the existing boundary vegetation being retained. The accessibility and sustainability credentials of The Oaks are not altered as a consequence of the updated Concept Master Plan. There remain no policy or insurmountable physical constraints to the development of the site as illustrated in the Promotional Brochure.

10. Although it is noted that reference is made to the potential need for a second access because of the capacity being over 100 dwellings, this is not required because there is scope to provide an emergency access or, as indicated in the draft Concept Masterplan document, a design for the access from Balsall Street East which allows for emergency vehicles.

11. There would be the opportunity to provide for a range of dwelling types and sizes at a density that respects the adjacent pattern of development and the site's location on the edge of Balsall Common. Due to the strongly defined boundaries, housing on the site would not be visually intrusive within the wider landscape setting of Balsall Common when viewed from the surrounding countryside.