BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 108339

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Caddick Land

Asiant : Stantec

Draft Policy Direction 3 confirms that the SWLP will identify Built Up Area Boundaries (BUABs) for settlements in South Warwickshire. In this respect Leek Wootton is currently identified as a ‘Growth Village’ through Policy H1 of the adopted Warwick District Local Plan. Growth Villages were identified through the Settlement Hierarchy Report (2014) which underpins the Local Plan which describes Growth Villages as being “the most suitable for housing growth according to a range of sustainability indicators”. The findings in respect of Leek Wootton remain relevant.

In respect of Green Belt locations, the Draft Policy Direction outlines how small scale development will be supported where it constitutes limited infilling within Built Up Area Boundaries. This approach is not supported as it does not align with the provisions of the December 2024 NPPF, including paragraphs 153–158 which describe the circumstances in which development in the Green Belt may be acceptable.

It is not evident how the SWLP will identify small sites, given the plan is predicated on focusing on strategic development. This issue is linked back to the deferral of site allocations to subsequent two-part plan/s as described previously.

Policy Direction 3 suggests that Neighbourhood Development Plans will be relied upon to deliver housing and employment allocations in smaller settlements. Whilst Neighbourhood Development Plans are a useful tool, there is no guarantee that a Neighbourhood Plan will come forward for every small settlement and, even if they do, they often do not come forward in a timely fashion to meet development requirements.

There is a genuine risk the Councils will be unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply following the adoption of the SWLP, given the inherent and well documented lead-in times associated with strategic
development. To this end, it is notable that the Councils have not published a housing trajectory as part of the SWLP evidence base – this should be published as part of the next consultation.

Policy Direction 3 should explore opportunities to increase the sustainability of existing settlements. This can include including identifying sites for development that can provide or support existing or new services and facilities to benefit local communities. This is the case for Leek Wootton.