BASE HEADER

Yes

ID sylw: 107992

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Rainier Developments Ltd

Asiant : Pegasus Group

NPPF Para 187 b) states "planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by … recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside … including the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land.” In addition, PPG paragraph 001 states the quality of farmland should inform choices about future use within the planning system. A policy on agricultural land would be justified.

The policy direction as drafted is supported as it avoids taking a blanket approach, recognising there may be circumstances where development on best and most versatile (BMV) land is appropriate, when the planning balance favours approval. The exemption from protection for the Strategic Growth Locations and New Settlement Sites is strongly supported. This will ensure the most sustainably located sites for development can be brought forward without having to factor this in. The Councils are encouraged to apply this exception to both the sites which are allocated in the Pre-Submission plan and those which are not, since they have already been identified as suitable growth locations in the Preferred Options document. The SA does not suggest any negative impacts would arise from excepting sites from this policy.