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Gwrthwynebu

ID sylw: 6936

Derbyniwyd: 25/09/2009

Ymatebydd: Bishops Tachbrook Parish Council

Housing
The Parish council considers that the preferred option identifies sites that should NOT be used for housing and fails to identify sites that could be suitable. In addition where sites have been identified that are suitable, the density of homes/ha is much lower than need be - particularly in urban contexts. An analysis of the preferred option shows that only 11 sites have been selected from the initial list of 151 taking a total area of 381.94ha. Of this, only 16.63ha is Brownfield. But 339.32ha is Grade2 Agricultural land with other Greenfield of 25.99. Only 525 homes are planned for Brownfield sites with 5000 homes on Greenfield. The 2575 windfall homes would be on a mix of brown and green but this is not determined by the option.
This preferred option contravenes PPS1: Delivering Sustainable Development - this requires local planning authorities to give protection to the wider countryside and take account of the impact of development on landscape quality, the conservation and enhancement of wildlife species and habitats and the promotion of biodiversity.
It also contravenes PPS7: Sustainable Development in Rural Areas = this requires local planning authorities to include criteria-based policies to protect locally valued landscapes, supported by landscape character assessments: as the landscape character assessments are poorly completed. The landscape occupied by Lower Heathcote Farm, between Harbury Lane and the Tach Brook, is naturally beautiful. Even so, the Landscape report states that as farmland too it has a high value; it is categorized as the second highest grade of farmland Far too much valuable farmland is proposed for development.
In addition, it contravenes the Regional Planning Policy which requires local planning authorities to conserve, enhance and restore the quality, diversity and distinctiveness of the landscape character of the region...
Para 6 of the Executive summary of the preferred options document sets out how WDC intends to meet current and future housing needs. This includes
1. Make effective use of existing housing stock eg vacant properties a typical week 5.6.09 of Courier ads gave 767 for sale and 403 to let total 1170 - but add students to halls and recover 1000 family homes to housing stock, and refurbishment programmes to bring flats over shops back into attractive use;
2. Make effective and efficient use of land by using a range of densities. Proposed densities for the proposed town centre sites are too low and can include mixed use employment space and this does not appear in the preferred options at all. Opportunities exist at a number of sites for comprehensive redevelopment to improve poor parts of the town including the Ford Foundry-Station approach and railway triangle; Wise Street and Court Street in the Tachbrook road, Canal and Railway triangle to rescue Old Town from an ignominious death
3. Reuse brownfield land before Greenfield. The preferred option only identifies 525 homes out of 8,100 on brownfield sites. The preferred option uses a toal of 381.94ha of which 340ha is Grade2 agricultural land
Bishop's Tachbrook Parish Council
Response to WDC Core Strategy Preferred Option
14 of 46 pages
The evidence base used by WDC to identify the preferred option contains insufficient analysis to make a judgment. A better analysis of the 151 sites shows that 51 sites could contribute to the option, some in part rather than whole and using more acceptable densities show where 10694 homes could be sited. We think that 47 ha of brownfield sites could provide 1998 homes. This option would utilize 368ha of which only 250ha is ALC2. But it would not be sensible to build this number as the impact of roads and infrastructure would be excessive. Choices could be made from this shortlist to achieve the 8,100 homes required and if ALC2 land is used last, it would only be necessary to take 150ha. Overall, the sites taken would amount to 268ha.
The study also identified 2 sites that would be suitable for a retirement village, one in Kenilworth and one in Leamington. The concept is that the elderly could maintain their independence in an apartment or bungalow, some with garden plots others with views, with care and social facility backup and access to shops and entertainment on the lines of Lovat Fields in Milton Keynes. Based on 250 homes for 1 or 2 persons, the applicants would trade down, releasing their family home into the market. Agencies for benefit applicants could beneficially purchase apartments for a proportion of the scheme.