Issue and Options 2023
Search form responses
Results for CEG Land Promotion III search
New search3.1 There a number of concerns with the approach taken in the SA, which include the general approach and specific issues regarding land to the South Coventry which are set out below. General Approach 3.1 In terms of the overall approach to how the 5 broad options have been assessed (chapter 7 of the SA), we recommend that these findings are treated with considerable caution when the Council’s decide the over-arching distribution strategy in the SWLP and refine options to specific locations, given that certain specific locations have not been assessed in detail. 3.2 Furthermore, when examining the conclusions in detail there are inconsistencies and errors in the assessment of the growth options, which raise question marks over the assessment’s robustness. For example, regarding both the Landscape and Natural Resources objectives; despite the extremely close alignment between these 2 options on the indicative diagrams. Sustainable Travel scores a single positive whereas Sustainable Travel and Economy scores a single negative. 3.3 Moreover, specifically for the Landscape objective, the Dispersed option scores a single positive compared to a single negative for both the Economy and the Sustainable Travel and Economy options. This is despite this being the only option that features development within the Cotswold AONB. This scoring outcome appears to be incorrect considering the NPPF (para 176) places the highest status of protection on the conservation and enhancement of the landscape and scenic beauty of AONBs. South Coventry 3.4 The SA evaluates South Coventry as a small settlement location, however, this is considered to be inappropriate. 3.5 When reviewing the SA, is clear that broad locations were considered on the edge of the ‘main settlements’ and the selection of those settlements for assessment appears generally logical in terms of scale and facilities offered by each location. However, the failure to include South of Coventry and place it under the small settlement category appears inward looking and counterintuitive, noting the WDLP rightly identifies South of Coventry as a focus for growth through Policy DS4 and all other settlements identified in that policy were concluded in the SA to comprise ‘main settlements’. 3.6 In addition, part of the land within the South of Coventry is identified as Safeguarded land in the WDLP under policy DS21 which establishes the principle of it being released to meet longer-term strategic development needs. Policy DS20 also clearly identifies the broader area South of Coventry as an area of growth and in response to this, WDC gave Cabinet approval in April 2022 for the preparation of a wider south of Coventry masterplan. This masterplan area extended from Westwood Heath and around to Coventry airport and represents a significant area and opportunity to the south of Coventry. Finally, the site is located in close proximity Coventry and to the University of Warwick’s main campus, which is identified as a Major Investment Site. 3.7 A call for sites form submitted in May 2021 to the SWLP indicated the capacity could be between 900 to 2,500 dwellings and this is the scale in which the site should have been assessed, noting it clearly meets the SWLP’s own criteria for identification of broad locations in terms of scale of housing (circa 2,000 dwellings). Furthermore, growth in this location has the potential to unlock major new infrastructure, as identified in the justification given by WDC to progress a masterplan framework for land south of Coventry. 3.8 Given the above, there is no justification as to why South of Coventry was not assessed in the SA as a broad location for growth. Therefore, to inform the production of the preferred option this area should be appraised as a potential broad location for growth. 3.9 Focusing on specific objectives within the Sustainability Appraisal we would note the following for South of Coventry; SA4: Landscape 3.10 Regarding landscape the site scores a single negative with concerns raised about it including a high landscape sensitivity and coalescence with Burton Green. This is despite the principle of part of its release from the Green Belt being established through it being identified as safeguarded land. Furthermore, it is important to recognise that the HS2 line, which is currently under-construction, runs to the south of this option and this will significantly reduce the potential for coalescence through the creation of new, substantial, defensible and enduring boundary in the landscape. Such new and significant infrastructure delivery will also reduce the sensitivity of the landscape to change. The scoring therefore should be adjusted accordingly. 3.11 The HS2 line does cut through Burton Green and thus the extent of the settlement to the north of the line would not be directly separated by this infrastructure, however such separation could easily be preserved through appropriate master planning, avoiding development in close proximity to Burton Green and creating appropriate landscape buffers. SA11: Accessibility 3.12 The site scores a single negative for accessibility. Whilst the scoring accurately reflects the proximity to Tile Hill railway station it doesn’t reflect the accessibility to the services and facilities associated with the University of Warwick’s main campus which include retail and leisure alongside the potential to integrate with the existing public transport connections providing a frequent service to the City Centre. On this basis the site should therefore score a double positive. SA12: Education 3.13 The site scores a single negative for access to Primary, Secondary and Further Education, however the site is less than 1 mile from the Westwood Academy (Secondary) and is adjacent to the University of Warwick’s Main Campus (Further education) and therefore the scoring should be increased accordingly to at least a single positive, potentially a double positive. In respect of primary education, assessing the site as a larger option would enable on-site provision to be taken into account which would also support a more positive score against this objective. SA13: Economy 3.14 The site scores a single positive for access to employment, however the location benefits from access to employment to the north of the site in Coventry. Westwood Way (34ha employment site) is classified as a major employment site by Coventry Council and provides for a diverse range of occupiers this can be accessed by dedicated off road pedestrian and cycle connections opposite the site and is within 250m of the site frontage. The industrial estates located off Charter Avenue and Westwood Way are also within walking distance of the site. In addition, the proximity to the University of Warwick’s main campus, which provides a number of employment opportunities, should also be taken into account. Consequently, the site’s scoring against the economy objective should be increased to a double positive.
selected
selected
The HS2 line is identified as a specific safeguarding provision that current exists. We agree that this line should continue to be safeguarded and in accordance with national planning policy (para 22 of the NPPF), the SWLP should actively consider the opportunities it presents when determining the growth strategy.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
3.3 It is considered that growth of some of the existing settlement should feature as part of the overall strategy as this will help to ensure a sustainable pattern of development through aligning growth with jobs, services and facilities and infrastructure provision. Land to the South of Coventry should be included within this process. 3.4 Whilst outside of South Warwickshire, the City of Coventry, as the sub-regional centre, should be acknowledged as part of the overall strategy as indeed was the case in the formulation of the Warwick District Local Plan. Land to the South of Coventry at Westwood Heath should therefore be considered for growth for a residential led mixeduse development as part of the overall strategy within the SWLP.
No answer given
selected
selected
selected
selected
selected
selected
selected
selected
