Draft Local Plan - Supplementary Consultation

Object

Representation ID: 8794

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land North of School Road

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

Given the findings of the Employment Land Review (2017), we query whether there is adequate evidence regarding employment needs to answer this question. There is scope for an uplift in the housing requirement as a result of the HS2-related growth, as well as the potential to capitalise on the clear need for wider than local employment growth identified through evidence such as the 2015 West Midlands Strategic Employment Site Study (WMSESS), which identifies the M42 corridor as the area of highest demand for strategic industrial and commercial uses (Area A). The forthcoming new WMSESS is likely to be published before the draft Plan is adopted. On top of Birmingham's unmet housing needs, the potential for higher housing numbers as a result of these points is something we consider could be an exceptional circumstance to justify an uplift beyond the standard method minimum (which we currently calculate to be 777 dwellings per annum).

Object

Representation ID: 8795

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land North of School Road

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

We broadly agree with the methodology but raise issues with the manner in which it has been applied to the site assessment process. Specifically we object to the manner in which our site (site assessment reference 416) has been assessed as 'red'. We do not agree with the conclusion that it will have 'severe or widespread impacts that are not outweighed by the benefits of the proposal'. Site is well enclosed by defensible boundaries to the west by Ashford Lane and a detached dwelling; to the south by School Road and a detached dwelling; and to the north by another detached dwelling and agricultural buildings. Do not agree that landscape presents a constraint to development, the character assessment is broad in nature and a more site-specific assessment would arrive at a different conclusion having regard to the context of this site. A number of larger allocations have similar landscape characteristics. Site adjacent to 84 School Lane is assessed as green and our site could result in an identical conclusion. Site contains good accessibility to services and facilities in the village. This includes Hockley Heath Primary School and a bus service to Dorridge, which contains a rail station with direct links to Solihull and Birmingham. Other nearby services in Hockley Heath can be accessed by a short walk or cycle. Hockley Heath should be higher in the settlement hierarchy and identified as suitable for higher levels of growth.
We consider that Hockley Heath is a sustainable location for additional housing growth as it has a sufficient range of services and facilities within the village, including a primary school.

There are no constraints which cannot be mitigated, including heritage, flooding, ecology, trees and access. Development here would not adversely impact upon the character of the settlement.
Improved accessibility is proposed for properties along School Road to and from the village centre through the provision of a footpath.
The site is in single ownership and is available for development with no legal or ownership problems.
It is free from significant constraints and there is strong market demand for housing in this area, it can therefore be considered deliverable (from the point of Local Plan adoption) in terms of the definition within the NPPF.

Comment

Representation ID: 8796

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land North of School Road

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

Whilst we agree with the spatial approach to development in Balsall Common, we would query whether there is evidence on the deliverability of some sites, for instance Barratts Farm (site 1), which has over 10 landowners within the allocation and relies on significant infrastructure for its delivery. Evidence is required to demonstrate delivery and a housing trajectory will be crucial in the Regulation 19 Plan. Sites with less land assembly issues that are available for development now (such as our Client's - site 416) are much more deliverable in the early years of the Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 8797

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land North of School Road

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

Whilst we agree with the spatial approach to development in Balsall Common, we would query whether there is evidence on the deliverability of some sites, for instance Barratts Farm (site 1), which has over 10 landowners within the allocation and relies on significant infrastructure for its delivery. Evidence is required to demonstrate delivery and a housing trajectory will be crucial in the Regulation 19 Plan. Sites with less land assembly issues that are available for development now (such as our Client's - site 416) are much more deliverable in the early years of the Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 8798

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land North of School Road

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

Whilst we agree with the spatial approach to development in Balsall Common, we would query whether there is evidence on the deliverability of some sites, for instance Barratts Farm (site 1), which has over 10 landowners within the allocation and relies on significant infrastructure for its delivery. Evidence is required to demonstrate delivery and a housing trajectory will be crucial in the Regulation 19 Plan. Sites with less land assembly issues that are available for development now (such as our Client's - site 416) are much more deliverable in the early years of the Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 8799

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land North of School Road

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

Whilst we agree with the spatial approach to development in Balsall Common, we would query whether there is evidence on the deliverability of some sites, for instance Barratts Farm (site 1), which has over 10 landowners within the allocation and relies on significant infrastructure for its delivery. Evidence is required to demonstrate delivery and a housing trajectory will be crucial in the Regulation 19 Plan. Sites with less land assembly issues that are available for development now (such as our Client's - site 416) are much more deliverable in the early years of the Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 8800

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land North of School Road

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

Whilst we agree with the spatial approach to development in Balsall Common, we would query whether there is evidence on the deliverability of some sites, for instance Barratts Farm (site 1), which has over 10 landowners within the allocation and relies on significant infrastructure for its delivery. Evidence is required to demonstrate delivery and a housing trajectory will be crucial in the Regulation 19 Plan. Sites with less land assembly issues that are available for development now (such as our Client's - site 416) are much more deliverable in the early years of the Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 8801

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land North of School Road

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

Whilst we agree with the spatial approach to development in Balsall Common, we would query whether there is evidence on the deliverability of some sites, for instance Barratts Farm (site 1), which has over 10 landowners within the allocation and relies on significant infrastructure for its delivery. Evidence is required to demonstrate delivery and a housing trajectory will be crucial in the Regulation 19 Plan. Sites with less land assembly issues that are available for development now (such as our Client's - site 416) are much more deliverable in the early years of the Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 8802

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land North of School Road

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

We have no immediate concerns with the inclusion of this site, much in the same way that we consider our Client's site (reference 416) should be included if a consistent approach to assessment was taken. Fundamentally, we think Hockey Heath is a suitable location for growth and it has a role to play in meeting the Borough's overall housing requirements.

Comment

Representation ID: 8803

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land North of School Road

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

We raise no issue with the amended Green Belt boundary, but we use this to highlight the similar justification for the removal of our Client's site (reference 416) from the Green Belt given the adjacent ribbon development, the defensible boundaries and the poor contribution it makes to the purposes of the Green Belt.