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ID sylw: 106617

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Mac Mic Group

Asiant : McLoughlin Planning

Section 4.1 of the PO Consultation Document sets out that “Sustainable Travel and Economy”, previously identified as Option 4 within the I&O Consultation, is identified as the chosen Spatial Growth Strategy for the SWLP.
The Respondent supports in particular the emphasis given to sustainable travel and to the provision of development in proximity to existing rail stations. Given the emphasis on mitigating the impacts of climate change (as per the first overarching principle set out within Section 3.1) and reducing the need to travel by private car in order to reduce carbon emissions, it is the Respondent’s view that in existing settlements in close proximity to existing railway stations – such as Henley-in-Arden – should be prioritised as locations for growth. More specifically, the Respondent’s Site at Henley-in-Arden is an ideal candidate for future housing development in this regard given it location within walking distance of Henley-in-Arden railway station.
The December 2024 iteration of the National Planning Policy Framework is clear at Paragraph 234 of Annex 1: Implementation that “for the purpose of preparing local plans, the policies in this version of the Framework will apply from 12 March 2025”. There are some exceptions, none of which apply to the SWLP. On this basis, it is fundamental that the SWLP sets out housing need in line with the new Standard Method.
As per the new Standard Method, housing need has increased in Stratford-on-Avon from 553 units per annum to 1,126 units per annum (+103%) and in Warwick DC from 653 units per annum to 1,062 units per annum (+62.6%). This significant increase in housing need further heightens the importance of the Council looking to suitable and sustainable greenfield sites to deliver housing, given the acceptance that urban land could not meet even the lower demand, which was assessed in 2022, as per the Urban Capacity Study.