Solihull Local Plan (Draft Submission) 2020

Policy P4A paragraph 6 should be amended to make clear that the suggested split of affordable tenures will relate only to the element of affordable housing that is not provided as discounted market products. This will ensure the policy is flexible enough to respond to emerging Government Policy and accommodate discounted market products such as the emerging policy on First Homes. An additional paragraph in the policy also needs to be included to set out the appropriate mix of unit sizes within this category.

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The housing requirement should be increased to ensure the plan meets the housing needs arising from the HS2/UKC proposals and as well as providing a greater contribution to meet HMA housing shortfalls. We estimate that the Local Plan needs to make provision for the delivery of at least 17,500 dwellings over the plan period, and probably nearer 20,000 dwellings to ensure the sustainable growth of the area and contribution to the wider HMA needs.

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In circumstances where the Examination is provided with insufficient levels of comfort that either of sites KN1 or KN2 are deliverable and viable, the relevant allocation should be removed.
Whether or not KN1/KN2 are removed, a new policy KN3 and associated justification text should be inserted into the Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath Settlement Chapter allocating land at Golden End, Knowle for some 250 dwellings. The justification can be taken from the commentary taken from the Council’s Site Assessment summary dated November 2020.
Example of the Policy text is provided in supporting information.

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In circumstances where the site promoters cannot demonstrate during the examination a co-ordinated approach to delivery of the whole site, and a high degree of confidence that the relocation of the football club is viable, then the site allocation should be considered not sound and removed.
In circumstances where the above can be satisfied and the policy is retained, the wording of Policy KN1 and accompanying text should be amended to ensure the club relocation is delivered. In these circumstances Policy KN1 be amended as follows:
- Paragraph 1 should be amended as follows: “The site is allocated for 180 dwellings together with the re-provision of Knowle Football Club”.
- Paragraph 4(iii) should be amended as follows: “The preferred site for the relocation of the existing football club is between the new development and the canal as shown on the concept masterplan. No housing development on any part of the site shall be allowed to commence until such time as the final football club site has been selected, and a commitment and timescale for re-provision is secured.

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In circumstances where the Council and site promoters cannot demonstrate during the examination a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach to delivery of the whole site can be achieved and that it is viable in line with paragraph 709 of the Plan, then the site allocation should be considered not sound and removed.
In circumstances where the comprehensive treatment and viability of the site can be satisfied and the policy is retained, the wording of Policy KN2 and accompanying text should be amended to ensure the critical education infrastructure is delivered. In these circumstances the policy should be amended as follows:
- Policy KN2 Paragraph 3(i) should be replaced with the following: “Re-provision of the existing Arden Academy and provision of new primary school as an ‘all through school. The preferred site for the school is on land immediately south of the existing school as shown on the concept masterplan. No housing development on any part of the site shall be allowed to commence until such time as the final site has been selected, and a commitment and timescale for the school development is secured, in addition to the necessary financial contributions”.

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