BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 108292

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Spitfire Homes

Asiant : Harris Lamb

No. The Policy is disproportionate and unclear. For example, it advises that the Council will “explore” the need for major development applications to require a full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. A planning application for 11 dwellings would constitute a major development. It would be entirely disproportionate for a LIVA to be submitted for the majority of cases for schemes of this size.
The Policy also suggests that where a proposal would result in landscape harm, the general principle is that it should be refused unless there will be an overriding benefit of development. The majority of the Plan’s housing requirement will be provided on greenfield sites due to a lack of brownfield land. Any development of a greenfield site is likely to have a degree of landscape harm as it will result in any development taking place in an area where there is currently no built development. This does not, however, mean that the starting point for determination of an application is a presumption it should be refused. Landscape impact is just one of many matters that needs to be considered as part of the determination process. The draft wording of the policy Direction 48 would appear to elevate the importance of landscape harm beyond other considerations.