Draft Local Plan - Supplementary Consultation

Support

Representation ID: 9169

Received: 14/03/2019

Respondent: stantec

We support the proposed allocation but consider that it should be increased in size and should be identified to accommodate some 350 dwellings.

Support

Representation ID: 9170

Received: 14/03/2019

Respondent: stantec

We agree, subject to the following:
*there being robust evidence to justify that the requirements conform with the CIL Regulations,
*in respect of the Balsall Common By-pass (paragraph 88, page 22), confirmation is needed that the route will follow the line previously identified (in the 2006 Unitary Development Plan and later documents including the West Midlands Local Transport Plan 2011-2026). This route is also shown on the Council's Emerging Concept Masterplan for Site 1 Barrett's Farm and our attached Vision Document indicates where the by-pass would run to the east of the land that is currently within Barwood Land's control

Object

Representation ID: 9171

Received: 14/03/2019

Respondent: stantec

Agrees with allocation of site subject to it being extended to include the whole of the land within Barwood Land's control. There are a number of inaccurate or inconsistent statements in the consultation documents.
* Document states site 21 is 12 ha in fact the red line is 9.56
*Suggests allocation will allow a strong and logical green belt boundary however the eastern boundary cuts through fields and does not follow existing physical features on the ground.
*Council has used a general new density figure of 35dph yet allocates site 21 for only 100 dwellings which would not make efficient use of land.
*The Barwood Land identified as site 414 in the site assessments document confirms that it is mainly brownfield and could make a contribution to new housing and is marked green suggesting it should be included in the allocation.
Extending the allocation to include the Barwood Land and allocating for 350 dwellings would rectify the anomalies and provide for effective use of a largely brownfield site as a highly sustainable form of development. This would include a mix of house types as well as affordable housing. Significant environmental improvements would result from the removal of the sites existing buildings and enhancements to the millennium walk public right of way through the site. Opportunity for widespread use by future residents of existing footpath and cycle connections to adjoining proposed allocations Berkswell rail station and key facilities such as existing schools, the proposed new school within Barrett's Farm, village centre shops and the village health centre. A net gain in biodiversity would be achieved together with a network of well connected green infrastructure , open space and children's play.

Object

Representation ID: 9172

Received: 14/03/2019

Respondent: stantec

Agrees that the delivery of smaller homes as part of a balanced mix of housing is important. However, requiring affordable housing as requirement based on a proportion of net residential floorspace would not incentivise the delivery of smaller market homes. It could act to discourage the delivery of some types of homes. A block of small apartments can have a higher net residential floor area than the equivalent land-take for family homes therefore would require a greater amount of affordable housing but with less revenue with implications for economic viability which would conflict with paragraph 67 of NPPF. Placing too much emphasis on the delivery of smaller homes or requiring affordable housing as a proportion of net residential floorspace would not achieve the policy objective to meet in full the identified housing requirements in terms of numbers, sizes, tenures and types. it is not an effective, justified or sound policy basis to ensure that the identified housing requirement will be met in full over the plan period. Paragraph 60 of the NPPF states there should be an evidence based approach to determine the minimum number of homes that are needed. An affordable policy requirement based on a proportion of net residential could also make it difficult for the LPA to assess the effectiveness of the plan. The wording of any affordable housing policy should also take into account the updated and wider definition of affordable housing set out in Annex 2 of the NPPF.