Object

Representation ID: 6383

Received: 13/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Sandy Gery

Agent: Phillips Planning Services

There is an underlying bias towards urban centric growth in the preferred strategy options, which discounts further growth in sustainable settlements in the north of the Borough, which has been excluded from all four of the emerging preferred growth options.

The north of the Borough includes several highly sustainable settlements including Key Service Centres, Rural Service Centres, and many other sustainable smaller villages. Additional growth in the northern settlements can make a positive and meaningful contribution to the wider strategy going forward to 2040, improving the long term vitality, and the viability of existing services and facilities. We would argue that allocations should therefore be made proportionally across the Borough in the interests of long-term sustainability.

Our client would like to highlight that he has four sites in Colmworth which are suitable for development and can contribute towards the sustainability of the settlement. These are Land East Church Road (Site 759) which is available for up to 300 dwellings, Land West of Church Road (Site 758) which is available for up to 150 dwellings, and Land To The North Of The Cornfields Public House (Site 727) and Rear Of The Cornfields Public House (Site 3448) which are both available for up to 30 dwellings.

The preferred strategies that are being consulted upon are also missing an opportunity to build upon the platform being created through the current Neighbourhood Plan process. Our client therefore raises objection to Growth Options 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d as they fail to provide any growth in the north of the Borough which undermines the long-term sustainability of the villages in this area.