BASE HEADER

A C Lloyd Homes object to Policy H10 as it does not provide a sound basis for future development for the Growth Villages.

The policy is too narrow and inflexible, provides no choice and adopts an unsustainable approach to the provision of housing for the Growth Villages. In particular, it is considered that new housing should not only be provided on the sites shown on the Policies Map for the Growth Villages, as there are clearly other suitable sites that can assist in meeting the District's housing requirements.

The Policy provides a clear opportunity to bring some flexibility to the plan and allow additional growth in appropriate locations, through a criteria based approach. As set out in objections to Policy DS10, it is considered that there is a shortfall in housing provision proposed in this Plan and a logical way to help accommodate this shortfall is from other suitable sites that may come forward within or adjacent to the Growth Villages. Whilst not all sites will be suitable, and in some cases there will be Green Belt limitations, Policy H10 as currently drafted is 'unsound' and should be more flexible in allowing other sustainable sites to come forward in the plan period within the Growth Villages.

Accordingly it is suggested that the policy be re-named as "Policy H10: Growth Villages", and be reworded as follows:

Housing development for Growth Villages will be permitted on sites allocated in the plan and on other suitable sites where the proposals are in accordance with the following criteria:

a) the site is within or adjacent to the settlement boundary, is outside of the Green Belt, and would have no significant adverse harm to the landscape setting of the Village or on any ecological and heritage interests;

b) the site can provide suitable vehicular access and good connectivity with existing village facilities and the public footpath network;

c) the design, layout and scale of development is established through a collaborative approach to design and development, involving District and Parish Councils, Neighbourhood Plan Teams, local residents and other stakeholders;

d) the housing mix of schemes reflects any up to date evidence of local housing need through a parish or village Housing Needs Assessment, including those of neighbouring parishes. Beyond meeting this need, or in the absence of a local Housing Needs Assessment, the scheme reflects the needs of the District as set out in the latest Strategic Housing Market Assessment; and

e) on sites allocated for 50 or more dwellings, the proposals include a phasing strategy whereby the homes are delivered across the plan period in phases of no more than 50 dwellings at a time over a period of 5 years, starting from the date the development commences on site.