As Site 11 has already gone through part of the planning process I will be brief.
There have been issues over design of the planning application. There was also an opportunity missed with regards to higher density housing closer to the Stratford Road.
Whilst some will argue that the car dealerships provide additional employment, they are doing so in a location that would have been able to make a bigger contribution towards affordable housing, reducing demand on the Green Belt, providing access to sustainable travel and all with minimal disruption to existing residents.
That ship has sailed and so it should be used to inform better planning in the future. Residents have been largely supportive of the use of the site for housing, with concern from Blackford Road on how the development will directly affect them.
Where there are concerns for future developments is around design. Clearly Site 11 and 12 are expected to form a coherent and contiguous development. With the designs that have emerged on Site 11, many residents will hope that improvements can be made for the future development.
Furthermore, the numbers shown here do not appear to include the Extra Care development that has already been given permission. Whilst it might fall outside the plan period for the Local Plan, it is important residents remain informed the actual density of this site.
One reason why residents were conditionally supportive of the higher density of this site was so that more greenbelt could be saved and there might be an overall reduction in the housing expectations of this area. The lessons from this site should also demonstrate that residents have not been NIMBY but are working with the Council to find an amicable solution. The reduction across Blythe is still not to a satisfactory level so should be considered before the next iteration of the plan.