BASE HEADER

Generally we welcome the document which clarifies how the Council will apply national targets and the requirements outlined in the Local Plan.

The 10% requirement now seems very modest and unchallenging. We would like WDC to raise this to 20% or higher. Failing that it should be made explicit throughout the document that the 10% is a minimum requirement.

It is difficult to ascertain when certain targets are to be met. For example the SPD encourages all new housing to meet level three of the Code for Sustainable Homes. However if new housing is to meet zero carbon by 2016 then new development starting 2009/10 should be designed to level 4, 5 or ideally 6.

The section on sustainable water management should be more mandatory and less advisory. For example in para 8.9 if SUDs are not used this will result in the application being refused.

Planning Committee members will need guidance on how much weight to give to the provisions of the SPD and whether an application could be refused solely on the grounds of non compliance with sustainability requirements.

Some Councils have a policy of designing for health which encourages developers to provide gardens, adequate space for drying washing etc. If it is not possible to give each dwelling a garden WDC should insist on some communal open space. In developments of 20 or more dwellings there must be a requirement to provide allotment space adjacent or within 1km. An allocation of one allotment space per 10 dwellings would be acceptable.