Testun llawn:
The principle of an Area of Growth South of Coventry is supported. The geographic boundaries of this area should be broadly identified NOW as it is believed that not only will additional housing land be required but the Council imply in DS NEW 1 that this area may need to accommodate such additional housing.
It goes on to say that it will identify the most appropriate locations for additional housing; have regard to the future plans for the University and have regards to opportunities on both sides of the local authority boundary.
If certain sites can be "allocated" now, then there is no reason why other sites which fall into this area should not be identified and/or allocated.
Failure to do so as part of this Plan implies that more difficult decisions are being avoided until a later date when there may be an easier passage through the consultation process. The need is clearly known now so this Plan must analyse all the potential sites NOW.
This will allow a full public debate to the ultimate benefit of the soundness of the Plan and ensure that there are no doubts about why the current choice of sites to be allocated appears less than objective and transparent.
New 1.4 confirms that sites in this area, together with related sites within the Coventry boundary, will be coming forward and 1.5 recognises that the University will prepare a Masterplan which will also facilitate development that is not currently known about, but which is likely to come forward.
The identified sites at Cryfield Grange / Land South of Gibbet Hill Road have been identified to the Council; they do adjoin related sites in Coventry; they are likely to come forward early in the Plan period anyway; and it adjoins the current University campus. By any reasoning, this land should be positively considered as part of the current Plan's test of soundness and not left as a future but early additional exercise after the Examination, with less public scrutiny.