No

ID sylw: 108604

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Corbally Group (Harbury) Ltd

Asiant : Pegasus Group

A 3km buffer zone around the Cotswolds National Landscape is proposed. Two of South Warwickshire’s most sustainable locations for growth fall within this potential buffer - Shipston-on-Stour and land at Long Marston, which are identified as a Strategic Growth Location (SG17) and Potential New Settlement (E1) respectively.

The comment from the Cotswolds National Landscape Board as part of the Issues & Options consultation, which predictably advocated for the implementation of a buffer, appears to have strongly influenced the Councils in formulating this policy direction, but there is no basis for a National Landscape buffer in national policy, nor has any evidence been provided to suggest that this is needed. Notably, the Cotswolds National Landscape Management Plan 2023 – 2025 does not refer to a buffer nor suggest that one should be established by local authorities. The Management Plan already serves as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications within the National Landscape and its setting in South Warwickshire, and it is contended that the current policy approach with regards to the National Landscape in the Stratford Core Strategy, which referred to the Management Plan, should be carried over. There is no evidence or justification for the SWLP Part 1 to go beyond the provisions of the Management Plan in implementing a buffer, and development should certainly not be precluded in sustainable locations where schemes can be designed in a manner which does not adversely impact on the National Landscape and its setting.

No

ID sylw: 108605

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Corbally Group (Harbury) Ltd

Asiant : Pegasus Group

Special Landscape Areas currently only exist within Stratford-on-Avon District and were introduced in the currently adopted Core Strategy (2016), as a result of information provided in the Special Landscape Area Study (2012). Evidence still needs to be prepared on which parts of South Warwickshire merit a Special Landscape Area designation.

It is important to emphasise that such a designation would be inconsistent with national guidance and policy, within which it has no basis. It is also noteworthy that Special Landscape Areas are not included in Natural England's approach.

Paragraph 187 of the NPPF and others seek to conserve and enhance the local environment, ensure that policies take into account landscape implications arising from development, consider landscape and visual impacts, and protect 'valued landscapes’. It is considered that the special landscape character across South Warwickshire can be suitably conserved and enhanced through a generic landscape policy, without the need to create an additional landscape designation, which would require yet another study to be undertaken to form part of the evidence base.

If the Councils do wish to proceed with Special Landscape Areas regardless of the above, it is imperative that these do not restrict development in what may be sustainable locations for growth. The policy direction currently recognises this; thus, this aspect is supported.

No

ID sylw: 108606

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Corbally Group (Harbury) Ltd

Asiant : Pegasus Group

This policy direction is broadly supported, with it generally aligning with the aspirations in the NPPF with regards to the protection and enhancement of landscapes, set out in, for example, Paragraph 187. However, it should be noted that Paragraph 135(c) does state that whilst development should be sympathetic to the surrounding landscape, this should not prevent or discourage appropriate innovation or change, such as increased densities. This should be acknowledged within the policy. It is affirmed that it is unnecessary for all major developments to provide Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA) as currently suggested. This will need to be fully justified, and such justification has not been provided within the Preferred Options document. The need for an LVIA should be considered on a case-by-case basis, and/or specific criteria for when one is required should be prepared by the Councils.

Yes

ID sylw: 108607

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Corbally Group (Harbury) Ltd

Asiant : Pegasus Group

Para 187 b) of the NPPF states that "planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by … recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside … including the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land.” In addition, PPG paragraph 001 Ref ID 8-001-20190721 states that the quality of farmland should be utilised to inform choices about its future use within the planning system. As such, it is considered that a policy on agricultural land would be justified.

The policy direction as drafted is supported as it avoids taking a blanket approach, recognising that there may be circumstances in which development on best and most versatile (BMV) land is appropriate, and thus cases when the planning balance favours approval. In particular, the fact that an exception will be made for the Strategic Growth Locations and New Settlement Sites, with the protection of BMV land not being a consideration, is strongly supported. This will ensure that the most sustainably located sites for development can be brought forward without having to factor this in. The Councils are encouraged to apply this exception to both sites which are allocated in the Pre-Submission plan, and those which are not, with them having already been identified as suitable locations for growth in the Preferred Options document. The SA does not suggest that any negative impacts would arise from excepting sites from this policy.

No

ID sylw: 108608

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Corbally Group (Harbury) Ltd

Asiant : Pegasus Group

Corbally Group are promoting land north of Harbury Depot as a proposed housing allocation. The land is sustainably located adjacent to the newly developed Bishops Hill and Willows developments and is well related via enhanced footway links direct to Bishops Itchington providing excellent connectivity to its social and physical infrastructure. The Site also benefits from excellent public transport links with good access to the services and facilities offered within Harbury and the wider area including Leamington Spa, Banbury and Southam. This land is suitable, available and deliverable and should be identified as a location for future residential development as part of the South Warwickshire Local Plan.

Whilst Bishop’s Itchington has been identified as a Spatial Growth Strategy Priority Area (Priority Area 3), this does not reflect accurately reflect the existing built village settlement. This should be reviewed to ensure the current settlement boundaries are captured within the
defined Priority Area 3, including the Bishops Hill and Willows Development, in addition to this Site which forms a logical extension to the settlement. Furthermore, there is a clear need to provide for in excess of the current identified housing requirement to meet the identified local needs of South Warwickshire and land north of Harbury Depot would contribute positively to meeting this need along with the wider strategic objectives of the Plan. As an identified Reserve Site in SoADC’s earlier draft Site Allocations Plan, further consideration should be given to the Sites continued housing allocation

This representation demonstrates that there are no significant constraints that would preclude the development of the site for residential development. The Vision Document shows how circa 220 homes can be accommodated on the Site, along with on-site open space, landscaping, BNG and sustainable drainage. In addition, the Site has the ability to deliver the added benefit of a local centre to further complement existing local infrastructure provision at Bishops Itchington.