Testun llawn:
1. The site is on the edge of an existing settlement.
I Understand that the settlement envelope is to be extended up to the Grand Union canal.
The site was formerly the used as a nursery and before that a riding school. The land is tantamount to brownfield land and therefore is in line with the sequential test.
The fact that the site is bounded by the canal provides clear delineation of the settlement edge and avoids any risk of encroachment into the green belt beyond.
2. The site Is ideal by virtue of the fact that it is close to existing facilities and infrastructure in Kingswood. This includes access to the post office, village shop, hairdressers and off licence, the doctors surgery, the school, the Navigation Inn and Restaurant and particularly public transport in the form of Lapworth railway station. This will reduce car borne journeys and is therefore sustainable.
3. The site is low lying and would therefore allow any development to be relatively un-obtrusive.
4. There is a need for more smaller houses for younger members of the community and in addition there is a need for more opportunities for the older generation to down size. I believe that this site could achieve this and I speak for a number of other residents of Rowington parish who hold the same view.
Although the site is bounded by Kingswood brook I am told that this site has no history of flooding. Reference to on-line Environment Agency flood maps confirms this. I note that it is intended that there needs to be a hydrology report and no doubt a flood risk assessment. I am confident that development will be possible within any flooding restraints.
5. I also think that the site has excellent amenity value because of its proximity to the canal network which provides excellent walking facilities. This is in addition to other public footpaths in the vicinity.
Current good design complies with the 12 way test of "Build for Life 12" produced by the Design Council in association with CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) and is designed to fit with the national planning policy framework (NPPF) this site already fulfils many of those 12 tests
I therefore commend this site to be allocated for future housing development.