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ID sylw: 108651

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Kiely Bros Holdings Ltd

Asiant : Pegasus Group

Policy Direction 49 – Agricultural Land
10.27.
NPPF §187b) states that "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 Ref ID 8-001-20190721 states that the quality of farmland should be utilised to inform choices about its future use within the planning system. As such, it is considered that a policy on agricultural land would be justified
10.28.
The policy direction as drafted is supported as it avoids taking a blanket approach, recognising that there may be circumstances in which development on best and most versatile (BMV) land is appropriate, and thus cases when the planning balance favours approval. In particular, the fact that an exception will be made for the Strategic Growth Locations and New Settlement Sites, with the protection of BMV land not being a consideration, is strongly supported. This will ensure that 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 sites which are allocated in the Pre-Submission plan, and those which are not, with them having already been identified as suitable locations for growth in the Preferred Options document. The SA does not suggest that any negative impacts would arise from excepting sites from this policy.