Yes

ID sylw: 108476

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Magdalen College, Oxford

Asiant : Savills

Magdalen College, Oxford welcomes the opportunity to continue its input to the preparation of the South Warwickshire Local Plan by responding to this formal consultation. The comments set out are provided in a constructive manner to assist with the preparation of the Local Plan and moving forward to the next stage of plan making. As well as commentary in respect of the draft policy directions, this response specifically concerns the College’s land interest: Land off Station Road / Campden Road (HELAA Site Ref 273), to the east of Meon Vale (also known as Land adjacent to former Long Marston Depot, west of Campden Road). We would note that the site has been assessed twice in the HELAA Part B and is also assessed under Adjacent former Long Marston Depot, west of Campden Road (HELAA Site Ref 832), as it was a Reserve Housing Site in the draft Site Allocations Plan (original site reference LRS.A). This site is of a suitable scale to come forward as an individual allocation through the Local Plan for immediate delivery, albeit the potential for a New Settlement at Long Marston is also noted.
We have sought to follow the content of the consultation plan and to provide responses where relevant to the questions posed within the document. To support the College’s position set out by these representations, this correspondence is accompanied by:
• Meon Vale East Vision Document by LDA Design (March 2025)
• Landscape Visual Appraisal by LDA Design (March 2025)
The College’s land could provide circa 95 dwellings in a location that complements the existing built form at Meon Vale and that integrates into the heart of the community. The site is surrounded by residential development along the majority of boundaries and provides a logical extension to the adjoining Meon Vale development. It could be delivered as a standalone site in the short term to help contribute to the district’s housing land supply.
The site boundary has been reduced since previous call for sites submissions and an updated site location plan is included in this submission. The site area is now 3.7 hectares (previously 4.19ha). The Vision Document confirms a developable area of 2.7 hectares that can comfortably accommodate 95 dwellings, along with public open space, landscaping and on-site drainage attenuation features.
A Landscape Visual Appraisal has been completed for the site which concludes that the Proposed Development can be successfully accommodated within the landscape, and that appropriate mitigation and enhancement measures can be incorporated into the design of the scheme. These include retaining and enhancing existing hedgerows and boundary vegetation where possible, providing recreational and ecological opportunities within the development, extending pedestrian routes and ensuring the design responds to the local context and neighbouring residential properties. It is concluded that the proposed development would relate well to the existing built up area of Meon Vale and would provide benefits to new and existing communities.
Access is proposed at the existing northern field access to minimise the loss of hedgerows. There is good visibility from this access along the existing grass verges and there is sufficient distance from the junction with Campden Road to achieve the required visibility splays.
The site was identified as a Reserve Housing Site by Stratford-on-Avon District Council (SDC) in the Site Allocations Plan (reference LRS.A – Adjacent former Long Marston Depot). The site was consistently identified as a reserve housing site through the SAP consultations between 2019 and 2022. This demonstrates the suitability of the site for residential development. In addition, the allocation of the site as a Reserve Housing Site demonstrates that SDC considered that the site could deliver housing in the short term, in the scenario that SDC could not demonstrate a five year housing land supply or where there was an identified need for additional housing.
The SAP Sustainability Appraisal (June 2020) assessment of the site concluded “the site had major positive effects for housing, communities and health. Also, potential for major positive effects on green infrastructure through enhancements to the existing trees, hedgerows and watercourse.” The assessment identified that there “may be minor negative effects on landscape, including for views from the AONB some 500m to the south-east – but mitigation measures may be possible so some uncertainty at this stage.” The impact on the AONB is addressed in the submitted Landscape Visual Appraisal for the site. The appraisal acknowledges that the proposed development could be glimpsed from parts of the Cotswold National Landscape (formerly AONB), however, it is judged that the proposed development would have no effect on the special qualities of the National Landscape or the quality of the landscape within its setting. Where visible,
the proposed development would be perceived as part of the existing settlement area of Meon Vale. We would also note that additional housing has been built around the site since 2020.
As acknowledged in the SAP Sustainability Appraisal (June 2020), residential development on the site could help to support local services and facilities through additional resident expenditure. Additional residents would help to support the Meon Vale Leisure Centre, football facilities, the Pavilion, supermarket and public transport and the site could integrate well into this existing community.
The site has an overall score of 25.58 in the HELAA Part B. This is well below the average score which further demonstrates the site is suitable for residential development.
Furthermore, the site is included in the Long Marston new settlement location but is promoted as a stand-alone allocation here.
It is important to note that Magdalen College has a track record for delivering high quality sustainable development. This is evidenced by the delivery of the Goose Lane scheme at Lower Quinton. Given this delivery experience, the College emphasises the ability to deliver the site early in the plan period and within a 5 year timescale