We submit that Site 81, Land North of Fillongley Road, Meriden, should not be omitted and should be included in the Submission Draft Local Plan.

This site immediately adjoins Meriden to the east and offers a highly sustainable option to bring forward additional housing growth as outlined in the Proposal Site Supporting Statement submitted with this response.

The site could be brought forward either on its own or as part of a larger sustainable northern expansion of the village between the existing settlement and the A45. Such a wider proposal could also facilitate an expansion to the primary school, as land to the rear of the school is also being promoted for development (Site ref 144).

The evidence base documents prepared to inform the Local Plan Review (including the Sustainability Appraisal, Accessibility Mapping Report, SHELAA, Green Belt Assessment, Landscape Character Assessment and Topic Papers) demonstrated that Meriden provides a sustainable development location. The village offers a number of community facilities, can be easily accessed by public transport and, given the village's location off the A45, is within good proximity to major employment centres. It is also very close the HS2 Interchange Station. New development at the edge of the village would have no higher landscape impacts and effects on the function of the Green Belt than other village locations. It is therefore inadequate for the Draft Local Plan Review to only include one housing allocation (Site10) for Meriden. This site was originally for 50 dwellings although is now suggested for 100 dwellings. This is still insufficient and we consider that the village provides far greater scope to accommodate housing needs. It is not clear from the Draft Local Plan Review evidence base or this latest Supplementary Consultation why the decision has been taken to only focus a very modest amount of development at Meriden. For example, a much larger allocation has been identified in the Draft Local Plan Review in Hampton-in-Arden, a similar sized settlement to Meriden with a similar level of accessibility and service provision. We note from the Meriden Housing Needs Survey dated August 2018 that the demand for local housing itself is 45 units. This is before any allowance is given for district or market area needs. Overall, it is clear to us that Meriden should have a far higher housing allocation than 100 units.

As set out in the Supporting Statement, Site 81 is well contained and would have a very moderate impact on the Green Belt. It is well located within easy walking distance of the centre of the village and the primary school. It is highlighted as a highly accessible site in the Council's Accessibility Mapping Report. It would have very limited ecological or landscape impact. The main constraint noted in the SHELAA is the lack of road access, but this can be overcome as the promoter controls a property fronting Fillongley Road where suitable access can be provided. This is set out further in the Supporting Statement. There are no other technical constraints to the development of this site.

Accordingly, it is requested that the Local Plan Review should include Site 81 as an additional allocation, either on its own or in combination with other sites between the settlement and the A45.