Preferred Options 2025

Other

Representation ID: 107799

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Bellway Strategic Land

Agent: Savills

We are generally supportive of draft Policy Direction 31.Bellway’s land (Site reference 466/471) is part of proposed Strategic Growth Location SG19 which has been identified for growth and the settlement is also located in Priority Area 3, therefore is considered a sustainable and accessible location suitable for accommodating growth. Reference to two site ID’s is included as Bellway’s land has been assessed as the eastern half of site ID 471 (c.4ha) (Land North of Loxley Road, Stratford upon Avon) and the eastern part of a wider parcel, site ID 466 (c.16.73ha) (Land at Knights Lane, Loxley Road and Pimlico Lane, Stratford upon Avon).

The second part of the Policy proposes to require developments to demonstrate that they will incorporate or contribute towards the provision of cycle lanes, pedestrian paths and public transport and public transport links should be integrated into the development. The policy should specifically note that not all development will be of a scale to enable public transport links through the site. Additionally, only developments subject to a S106 Agreement would be able to contribute to off-site sustainable access improvements and any requests for upgrades will be required to demonstrate that they are complaint with Section 122 of the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010.

Yes

Representation ID: 107800

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Bellway Strategic Land

Agent: Savills

We support the Spatial Growth Strategy set out in Chapter 4.1 of the Preferred Options document. Bellway’s Land (Site ID 471/466) is located within proposed Strategic Growth Location (SGL) SG19, East of Stratford Upon Avon, and has been assessed as wider growth option rather than in isolation. Reference to two site ID’s is included as Bellway’s land has been assessed as the eastern half of site ID 471 (c.4ha) (Land North of Loxley Road, Stratford upon Avon) and the eastern part of a wider parcel, site ID 466 (c.16.73ha) (Land at Knights Lane, Loxley Road and Pimlico Lane, Stratford upon Avon).
The Sustainability Appraisal (SA) has assessed the 24 proposed SGLs against 13 objectives.
SG19 is extremely well-located and in close proximity to the eastern edge of Stratford-on-Avon, which is the largest settlement in the District. SG19 is therefore located in close proximity to existing transport links and facilities / services and employment opportunities. This accessibility is reflected in the SA with SG19 being the 4th best performing SGL against SA objective 11, for accessibility and performs well against Objective 13 (economy).
We note that SG19 scored ‘minor negative’ for landscape (objective 4). A Landscape Assessment has not yet been published to support the SWLP so it is unclear how this has been evidenced. The Landscape is not statutorily designated in this location so we assume this score is a result of the site being greenfield and on the edge of a settlement. Further evidence is required to justify the score in the SA. However, we note that compared to the other SGLs, SG19 scores well comparatively.
Furthermore, we do not support the ‘major negative’ score applied for cultural heritage (objective 5). We expect this assessment is likely been deduced as the SG19 site covers a wider land interest than Bellway’s land which is not constrained by any heritage assets. This is confirmed in the HELAA which concluded that Site ID 471/466 scores ‘Green’ for heritage, meaning ‘the location/site does not include any designated heritage assets, and it is unlikely to directly impact upon the setting of any heritage assets’ (HELAA methodology November 2024).
As the largest and most sustainable settlement in the District, the most housing growth should be directed to Stratford-on-Avon and SG19, and Bellway’s land, is well placed to deliver this growth.
In light of the above, proposed SGL SG19 is one of the higher performing proposed SGL in the SA and it should therefore be allocated wholly or in-part within the SWLP. Bellway’s land (Site ID 466/471) is located within SGL SG19 and has been assessed positively within the HELAA. We therefore strongly support the proposed allocation of SG19 and Site ID 466/471.

Other

Representation ID: 107801

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Bellway Strategic Land

Agent: Savills

Bellway’s site (Site ID 466/471) is located within the proposed SGL SG19. As stated in our separate responses, Bellway strongly support the proposed allocation of their land. Reference to two site ID’s is included as Bellway’s land has been assessed as the eastern half of site ID 471 (c.4ha) (Land North of Loxley Road, Stratford upon Avon) and the eastern part of a wider parcel, site ID 466 (c.16.73ha) (Land at Knights Lane, Loxley Road and Pimlico Lane, Stratford upon Avon).
Site ID 466 scored 34.40 overall and Site ID 471 scored 33.30 overall. Across all sites assessed in Part B, the median score was 45. We note a lower score is considered better and therefore Site ID 466/471 score reflects a very positive assessment and is better performing than the majority of sites assessed in the HELAA.
In the ‘Settlement Design Analysis’ (January 2023), Site ID 466 has also been given a ‘connectivity grade’ of ‘B’ which is good connectivity. The SWLP evidence base therefore recognise that the Site ID 466/471 is in a sustainable and accessible location.
Site ID 466/471 is located on the edge of the largest and most sustainable settlement in the District which offers a wide range of services and facilities and is served by public transport. The Site is also not located within the Green Belt or restricted in terms of any landscape or ecological designations. Site ID 466/471 also offers the opportunity for housing delivery in the short term as it is in single ownership and being promoted by a housebuilder.
In light of the above, Site ID 466/471 should remain as a proposed residential allocation within the SWLP.