BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 108116

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Catesby Estates Ltd

Asiant : Pegasus Group

with regards to housing figures, it is considered that the policy direction as drafted is not positively prepared, justified, or consistent with national policy, in relying on out-of-date evidence to suggest that 1,679 dpa would be an acceptable annual housing requirement, and incorrectly treating the Standard Method’s 2,188 dpa as a maximum figure, secondary to the ageing HEDNA. To remedy this, the emerging policy should state that provision will be made for at least 2,188 dpa, requiring a minimum of 54,700 dwellings over the plan period. The evidence demonstrates that this is deliverable, with in excess of 2,188 completions in six of the last eight years across South Warwickshire. Therefore, opting for this higher figure would not undermine the effectiveness of the plan. Notwithstanding, planning for an even greater number of homes is encouraged and would be strongly supported, to provide sufficient flexibility to allow for higher-growth scenarios as set out in the Further Advice on Housing & Employment Land Needs report (up to 2,808 dpa), unmet need from neighbouring authorities, potential uncertainty in the number of dwellings which will be delivered on windfall sites, and the delivery of sufficient affordable homes to meet local need (from 2,772 dpa - discussed further under Policy Direction 10). Such an approach would ensure that the objectively assessed housing need for South Warwickshire can be met in full. This is supported by the SA, which concludes that providing at least 2,188 dpa will have the most positive effects compared to the reasonable alternatives in terms of housing and supporting economic growth. Planning for this number of homes will align with the aspirations of the NPPF, including those set out in Paragraphs 61 and 83.
It is critical to ensure that a sufficient amount of housing is planned for in the SWLP Part 1. When measured against the new Standard Method in the 2024 NPPF, both Stratford and Warwick lack a five-year housing land supply, and as such the presumption in favour of sustainable development will apply, which may lead to a substantial number of speculative planning applications in locations which the Councils do not consider favourable for growth under the selected spatial strategy.
Catesby land interests at Oaks Farm and Warwick Road form part of the ‘South of Kenilworth Group’ Strategic Growth Location (SG04). Its including is strongly support. The Site falls within Priority Area 2, which highlights that this is s sustainable and suitable location for growth, with development here aligning with the spatial strategy for South Warwickshire. SG04 has been assessed against the SA framework and performs generally favourably against the objectives, and certainly more favourably than some of the other proposed Strategic Growth locations.