Preferred Options

The Local Plan "Preferred Options" identifies Cubbington as a category 2 Village which is considered suitable for the development of 30-80 dwellings which we support.

On behalf of our client, we submitted details of the Waverley Riding School site which extends to approximately 4 acres (c. 1.72 ha), for future housing under the SHLAA 2011. The New Local Plan proposes that under clause 7.22, B, category 1 and 2 villages, that the Council will work with Parish Councils to define the boundaries of village envelopes. In the case of villages (i.e. Cubbington) within the Green Belt, land within the village envelope will be removed from the Green Belt to enable development to take place.

The Waverley Riding School is "Brown Land", which is defined as "Previously Developed Land" (PDL) in terms of the definition in PPS3, and can be included within the village envelope.
PDL is that which is or was occupied by a permanent structure, including the curtilage of the developed land and any associated fixed surface structure.

Having reviewed the planning history of the subject land, we conclude that it is a commercial equestrian establishment. It is not agricultural and can therefore be considered as PDL.
Waverley Riding School immediately adjoins a modern residential development to the South, and allotment gardens to the West. There is good access to the site from the Coventry Road.
There are a large number of buildings on the site including one residence, riding stables, feed stores and a large riding school. There are large areas of concrete hardstanding forming the exercise yard. All services are connected to the site including drainage for foul and surface water. The site is suitable for accommodating between 40 and 60 houses (23-35 houses to the hectare).

The site is relatively level, is deliverable, and will contribute to the objectives of the Sustainable Community Strategy set out in the Local Plan Preferred Options document.

The new Local Plan states under Section 5.21 Housing. Preferred Option...distribution of sites to housing (c) development on Brownfield Land. The Council's preferred option is that proposals to housing development and conversions of dwellings will normally be permitted on previously-developed land in the following areas subject to the proposals having no serious impact upon the amenity and environment of their surroundings....without the village envelopes of the category 1 and 2 villages.

Cubbington is defined as a category 2 village.
The development will provide a mixed development providing a wide choice of homes including affordable housing to meet the needs of the Cubbington "settlement".

We submit that the site meets the sustainable criteria set out in the new Local Plan and recommend that it is allocated for housing development.