Publication Draft

Support

Representation ID: 66798

Received: 26/06/2014

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

The NPPG (Design) emphasises the importance of having a system of open and green spaces and that these can make an important contribution to the quality of an area. The allocation of land for a country park adjoining the Tach Brook is commensurate with the NPPG objective and significantly exceeds the open space requirements generated by the development proposals. The Background Document accompanying the representations includes an illustrative development framework plan which shows how the site at Lower Heathcote Farm can contribute to the provision of the country park. A wider strategic development framework Plan is also provided showing how the country park can continue to the east of the Lower Heathcote Farm site as part of the south of Harbury Lane strategic site allocation. The park, as envisaged in paragraph 2.59 of the Plan, can offer an informal recreational area and provide wildlife and biodiversity links to the wider agricultural landscape to the south.

Object

Representation ID: 66799

Received: 26/06/2014

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Land at Lower Heathcote Farm (part of the South of Harbury Lane proposed allocation) can come forward for development early, delivering housing in a manner consistent with the objective of boosting supply and making a contribution to the 5 year housing land supply. The requirement for either development briefs or master plans to be approved by the Local Authority creates a risk that unnecessary delay will prevail. Clarity is provided to bring forward sites through other policies in the plan therefore the requirement for master plans and briefs is not necessary. There are mechanisms in place to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is delivered through the application process and the proposals map is clear about what infrastructure is required and where without the need for a master plan. Policy DM1 assists this. In summary, there are policies and mechanisms in place to ensure the delivery of infrastructure on the strategic sites and that high quality and integrated development is delivered.

Support

Representation ID: 66800

Received: 26/06/2014

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

We are encouraged that Warwick District Council recognises its statutory obligations with regard to the Duty to Co-operate with neighbouring authorities in the preparation of their Local Plan in order to maximise its effectiveness with regard to strategic planning matters. We do, however, reserve our position on whether the District Council has effectively discharged that Duty and look forward to considering this matter further on publication of the necessary attendant evidence based information

Object

Representation ID: 66801

Received: 26/06/2014

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

This policy provision is supported, however there is a concern that the Plan is not effectively balancing housing and employment growth as currently drafted. In order to help support economic growth and meet the projected target (11.6% employment jobs growth) for Warwick District over the plan period, there needs to be an increase in the population, in particular the working population. Using the Chelmer model it is considered that a housing requirement of circa 18,043 dwellings is needed to fulfil economic potential.

Support

Representation ID: 66802

Received: 26/06/2014

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

No objection is raised to this policy suffice to say that it adds little to Strategic Policy DS2 of the Plan which is very similar in its drafting. As set out in responding to Policy DS2 we support the Council's policy intent to provide, in full, for the Objectively Assessed Need for housing in the District. This is commensurate with the NPPF, paragraph 47. We are, however, concerned that in practice the housing requirement figure contained within the Plan at Policy DS6 (12,860 new dwellings 2011 to 2029 as derived from the SHMA) is insufficient to meet the full, objectively assessed need for housing. Please refer to our objections to Policy DS6 and the accompanying Housing Background Paper for further information.

Object

Representation ID: 66803

Received: 26/06/2014

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Policy BE2 is similar in intent and drafting to Policy DS15 in requiring the preparation of development briefs for the proposed strategic sites. It is therefore repetitious. Notwithstanding this, as set out in response to Policy DS15, it is considered that the need for development briefs introduces an additional layer of unnecessary development plan making. We propose Policy BE2 be deleted.

Support

Representation ID: 66804

Received: 26/06/2014

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

Policy TR2 is concerned to ensure that the implications of large scale development, in respect of traffic movements and impact, is assessed. This is an approach which is consistent with the NPPF, particularly paragraph 32. In this regard the Background Documents provided for both the site at Lower Heathcote Farm and South of Gallows Hill (provided separately) demonstrate that both of the sites can be accommodated on the highway network without unacceptable adverse impact and that suitable accesses can be achieved. Indeed, a full Transport Assessment (TA) has been submitted for each of these sites in association with the planning applications currently before the Local Planning Authority. The TA demonstrates that, with mitigation as appropriate, the developments (either in isolation or combination) should not be prevented from coming forward and are commensurate with the provisions of NPPF, paragraph 32.

Support

Representation ID: 66805

Received: 26/06/2014

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

It is noted that the Proposals Map defines, in broad terms, an area of search for a park and ride to the south of Warwick. The proposed development at Lower Heathcote Farm (part of South of Harbury Lane strategic site) and the Omission Site proposal at South of Gallows Hill / West of Europa Way do not prevent the park and ride being delivered in the future. This is consistent with Policy TR5.

Object

Representation ID: 66806

Received: 26/06/2014

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

6.4 The content of this policy is noted. It is the case, however, that all elements of this policy are already included within other draft policies of the Plan. By way of example, providing homes to meet needs of older people is covered in Policy H0, contributing to the development of high quality, safe and convenient cycling and walking network is addressed in Policy BE1 and minimising the potential for crime and anti social behaviour is covered in proposed Policy HS7. It is therefore not clear what the policy adds to the Plan in terms of effectiveness. The Council are therefore invited to consider whether it is necessary to retain this policy in the Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 66807

Received: 26/06/2014

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

It is clear from the NPPF and NPPG that the designation or otherwise of Local Green Spaces is a matter directly applicable to a Neighbourhood Plan and not the District Council's Local Plan. HS3 is not appropriate for inclusion in the plan. It is not clear how the Council can support the principle of Local Green Spaces without knowing the detail of them and the extent to which they meet the strict requirements of the NPPF and NPPG. Indeed, paragraph 77 of the NPPF is clear that the designation will not be appropriate for most green areas or open space