Issue and Options 2023

Executive Summary Land to the south of Broad Lane, Aspley Heath, Tanworth in Arden, B94 5HR. The land which is circa 6.11ha currently sits within the West Midlands Green Belt however the land does not contribute to the five purposes of green belt land. The site sits in the middle of a quadrangle of development depicting a very urban form, please refer to the os plan attached. The land is located in a sustainable location close to excellent transport nodes and the development of this land would not impact on the interests of acknowledged importance. The land is grade 4 agricultural land with no real constraints to development. The development of this land would not contribute to urban sprawl as the land offers the opportunity for "infill" residential development along with community facilities and therefore would not impact on the greater green belt area. Indeed it would complement the existing settlement form and pattern. In essence the development of this land would contribute to the vision and strategic objectives of the South Warwickshire Local Plan by providing for a climate resilient net carbon zero development for a mix of well designed houses and bungalows, providing a healthy, safe and inclusive twenty minute neighbourhood. It offers good connectivity coupled with the opportunity for an enhanced and managed biodiverse resilient proposal. Description The land is located within the settlement of Aspley Heath, which forms part of the parish of Tanworth in Arden, Warwickshire, close to the A435 Alcester to Birmingham Road. The site amounts to some 6.11ha. (15.107acres) or thereabouts. The land is predominately laid down to pasture, sub-divided into three fields by mature hedgerows/tree belts, and an area of woodland. The site sits at about 165m AOD and gently undulates. The north-western boundary provides frontage onto the B4101 Broad Lane. The north-eastern boundary is formed by the back gardens of residential properties fronting onto Arden Leys, off Aspley Heath Lane. The eastern, south-eastern and south-western boundaries are formed by back gardens and paddocks of residential properties fronting onto Aspley Heath Lane and Blind Lane. The principal agricultural access to the land is currently off Broad Lane, with a further access off Arden Leys. A public bridleway runs between Aspley Heath Lane and Blind Lane along the woodland strip forming the south-eastern boundary of the site. The site is well located for connection to various and significant transport nodes. A regular bus service between Moseley and Alcester, Solihull and Redditch stops on Broad lane close to the subject land. Wood End station which provides a regular service to Birmingham and Stratford upon Avon is within a 10-15 minute walk circa 4 mins for cyclists. Junction 3 of the M42 motorway is approximately 2.3miles distant. A primary school is located within Tanworth in Arden village, along with a church, tennis and bowling club. The area is well catered for with two local public houses namely the Warwickshire Lad and The Bell. Ladbrooke Park Golf Club provides further recreational facilities on the doorstep. Under Issue S6 of the Consultation Document The land at Broad Lane offers probably the best opportunity available within the region " to focus on development sites which provide limited harm to the greenbelt". The Five Purposes of Greenbelt land. to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas; to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another: to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment; to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns and to assist in urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land. The subject land does not significantly contribute to any of the above five purposes. The land is developed on all sides and therefore it restricts any further growth which would result in "unrestricted sprawl" the existing development provides a ready defensible boundary against any further development. In light of the above there is no risk of coalescence with any other town or village as any proposed development is constrained to within the broadly rectangular format provided by the current urban form. The land is of limited value in terms of landscaping it does not provide a traditional setting depicting a typical rural environment, quite the contrary the land is surrounded by development it therefore cannot be defined as open countryside. The land does not contribute to preserving the setting of any special character. It is not within a conservation area nor are there any listed buildings of historic or architectural importance within the sphere of influence. Heritage is therefore not an issue. Indeed the surrounding development is primarily a mix of unimaginative houses from the 60,s 70s and 80s many of which have been overly extended with an array of hideous annexes and bland conservatories coupled with an interesting variety of large garden sheds, offices, gyms and garden rooms, it's overlying characteristic form is undeniably urban. Both interestingly and timely, The Royal Town Planning Institute on behalf of its members has responded on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)consultation dated 2nd March 2023 and comments as follows; 'We believe that proportionate reviews of Green Belts at a strategic (i.e. city-regional) level are important for them to serve their intended purpose as a policy tool for preventing urban sprawl. The reviews must be flexible to react to changing needs and settlement patterns as well as accommodating high-quality development." Sustainability National Planning Policy Framework sets out three overarching objectives in achieving sustainable development; environmental, economic and social. The site performs well in relation to these aspects as detailed below. Economic Objective Development should be consistent with the aim of building a strong, responsive and competitive economy by ensuring sufficient land of the right type is available in the right places and at the right time to support growth. The site identified at Aspley Heath could deliver a mix of residential dwellings which has good access to a wider functional economy. Indeed the site is well located in terms of the "twenty minute neighbourhood" as it is within easy walking distance to bus stops; train station, public house and doctors surgery. Social Objective Sustainability should support strong, vibrant and healthy communities and accessible services by ensuring that a sufficient number and range of homes can be provided to meet the needs of present and future generations. The provision of a mix of residential dwellings will help maintain the existing community, but also in allowing sufficient flexibility to satisfactorily address the social objectives of the NPPF. Environmental Objective The NPPF establishes a requirement to protect and enhance the natural built and historic environment. The site at Aspley Heath although it lies within the greenbelt it provides little in the way of the five purposes as previously stated. Indeed the land is encompassed by residential development on all sides which provides an urban feel rather than one of "open countryside " with which one usually associates with greenbelt land. It is a remarkable example of land which contrasts with the usual characteristics of greenbelt land. It is not located within a conservation area nor is it located close to any listed buildings. It is not located within an area of flood risk (zones 2 or 3) Its landscape is diluted by the surrounding residential properties and their urban form. The land agricultural value is low "grade 4" and provides a small amount of grazing. Thus the loss of such land will be of little consequence. In bringing the site forward for development any proposal will make efficient use of available land to deliver a mix of well designed houses and bungalows providing a much needed mix of tenures in this location. A proposed scheme providing for woodland management and additional planting coupled with a wildflower meadow will support a substantial gain in biodiversity terms. Sensitively designed and well located residential development of appropriate size and scale would not erode the character and appearance of the surrounding area and would not have an adverse impact on local accessible open space. Given the location of the submitted site, proposals for residential use at the site would complement the existing settlement form and pattern and provide what is in fact "infill development". Conclusion This parcel of land does not contribute substantially towards any of the acknowledged greenbelt purposes. It is clear that over the years the area of Aspley Heath has changed and there is now an opportunity to flex on the changing needs of settlement patterns as it offers an opportunity to embrace a development of high quality net carbon zero housing within a sustainable location. The development of this land will not contribute to "urban sprawl" it is an infill opportunity in an area which would benefit from having a mix of housing to satisfy local needs. The land is available, deliverable and subject to being released from the greenbelt achievable. In essence the development of this land would contribute to the vision and strategic objectives of the South Warwickshire Local Plan, namely; Climate resilient with a net zero development; well designed; providing a healthy, safe and inclusive opportunity with good connectivity which provides an enhanced and managed biodiverse and environmentally resilient proposal in South Warwickshire.