Village Housing Options and Settlement Boundaries

Object

Representation ID: 61423

Received: 20/01/2014

Respondent: Mrs & Mrs Swindells and Star Pubs & Bar Ltd

Agent: Barton Willmore

The 'preferred' sites identified in the VHOSB document would allocate land for 847 dwellings, short of the number of dwellings required to be delivered in the District's villages (i.e. circa 1,000 dwellings), as outlined in Table 2 of chapter 2. No allowance is made for this shortfall and as such it is considered that the Council should allocate further sites to address the need. Furthermore, the construction of HS2 will require the demolition of and will blight a large number of dwellings across Warwick District, including within Burton Green to accommodate the tunnel which will be located under the settlement. Neither the 'Preferred Options' or 'Revised Development Strategy' documents make reference to addressing the net loss of dwellings resulting from HS2, including dwellings in Burton Green. As such, the number of dwellings in the emerging Local Plan is not considered to be sufficient to meet the District's needs.

Object

Representation ID: 63555

Received: 20/01/2014

Respondent: Mrs & Mrs Swindells and Star Pubs & Bar Ltd

Agent: Barton Willmore

The VHOSB document specifies that the 'preferred' location for development in Burton Green is at Burrow Hill Nursery, which would deliver up to 75 dwellings. Despite our clients site (Site 2) being identified as potentially achievable subject to overcoming layout and landscape considerations in the SHLAA review undertaken in 2013, it is discounted as a preferred option in the VHOSB document "due to access constraints and development at the site being out of keeping with the built form of Burton Green", as outlined in Appendix 6. Following discussions with the owner of the Peeping Tom Public House, Star Pubs & Bars Ltd, access to the Site has been secured and is no longer a constraint to development of the Site. Furthermore, this would see a commitment from the owners to the Public House, helping to maintain its viability and potentially improving its offer. As such delivering the site is likely to secure the future viability of the public house, thereby having the additional benefit of safeguarding an important community facility.

In addition to access constraints, concerns are also expressed in appendix 6 of the VHOSB regarding the impact of developing the Site on the built form of the village. In response, a Green Belt Review and Landscape and Visual Report has been undertaken to demonstrate that there is potential to establish residential development within The Site with very limited adverse landscape and visual effects and is submitted in support of this representation. The proposed development would also be designed to be low density to ensure it respects the character of the surrounding area.

Object

Representation ID: 63558

Received: 20/01/2014

Respondent: Mrs & Mrs Swindells and Star Pubs & Bar Ltd

Agent: Barton Willmore

There is concern regarding the Green Belt evidence used to inform the VHOSB document. The 'Critical Friend' Analysis document only provides assessment of the parcel of land the 'preferred option' site is located within, rather than all potential options for the settlement. As such it is considered limited weight should be afforded to the 'Critical Friend' Analysis pending a review of all Green Belt sites identified in the VHOSB document, as currently this does not provide an open and transparent assessment of all available alternative options. It should also be noted that the parcel of land The Site is located within in respect of the Partial Green Belt Review is considered to have an Outline Value Assessment of 'Medium-High', whereas the parcel the 'preferred option' site is situated within has a value of 'High', suggesting The Site is preferable in Green Belt terms. When considering the impacts resulting from HS2, the 'preferred option' site lies partly within the area that will experience potential noise effects, with nearby residential properties ranging from 'moderate adverse' to 'minor adverse' impact, as shown in plan 20612-SL-P-03. It is considered that this further demonstrates the acceptability of The Site given it will be located in an area of less Green Belt value and no impacts resulting from HS2, when compared with the 'preferred option' site.

Object

Representation ID: 63559

Received: 20/01/2014

Respondent: Mrs & Mrs Swindells and Star Pubs & Bar Ltd

Agent: Barton Willmore

Notwithstanding our view that Site 2 is more suitable for development than the 'preferred option' site, in terms of development within Burton Green, rather than compete with the preferred development site, it is feasible that both sites could come forward to meet Burton Green's required need, which should be increased to address the overall under provision of housing within the District's villages and the net loss of dwellings resulting from HS2. The 'preferred option' site is located to the south of the settlement, whilst the Site is located to the north, as shown in plan 20612-SL-P-04. It is therefore considered that the possibility of allocating two sites in the village has the added benefit of providing a geographical spread; ensuring development is not focused on one area of the village, thereby avoiding problems such as associated vehicular movements for instance.