Issue and Options 2023

The Council is pleased to continue to work with SDC and WDC on duty to cooperate matters and will continue to do so. The Council recognises that the South Warwickshire Plan is still at an early stage in is process and the Council’s views set out at the scoping stage remain valid and should be taken into account as part of this consultation too. This is particularly the case with regard to potential cross boundary transport links which will/may include the need to take into account initiatives such as the Balsall Common Relief Road and increasing/improving cycling connectivity. For convenience a copy of the previous comments is attached to this response.

In addition to comments previously made the Council wishes to raise an issue with regard to a number of ‘call for sites’ submissions it is aware that were submitted in response to the previous consultation. These related to sites around Hockley Heath. Hockley Heath is a small settlement located within Solihull, but essentially closely bounded on three sides by the boundary with Stratford upon Avon. Within Solihull’s emerging plan (which is currently at examination), the settlement is identified in the spatial strategy as a rural settlement identified for limited expansion. To date the Inspectors have not raised any fundamental issues with the spatial strategy and the Council is expecting it will form part of the adopted plan. In accordance with the spatial strategy an allocation (in Solihull’s plan) to accommodate some 100 dwellings has been made for the settlement and it is considered that this fulfils the ability of the settlement to accommodate limited expansion. It is noted that the diagram supporting the dispersed growth option does not indicate the Hockley Heath area as an indicative location that may feature in this option. Nor is the village listed (on page 71) in the settlements considered under this option. The Council supports this position. To identify the settlement as a location for growth to take place in South Warwickshire would be considered to run contrary to the spatial strategy in Solihull’s plan. It would have a detrimental impact on the character of the village and would not be supported by the necessary infrastructure, a factor complicated by not being within the same LPA. I hope these comments are helpful and we look forward to continuing with joint working.