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Representation ID: 8486

Received: 27/09/2021

Respondent: Anwyl Land

Agent: Fisher German LLP

1.1 These representations have been prepared on behalf of Anwyl Land in respect of a proposed development of their land interests at Kennel Hill, Sharnbrook, as illustrated on Figure 1 below, SHLAA ID 3231. Anwyl Land are a well-respected residential land promoter, part of the Anwyl Group which includes Anwyl Homes, an award-winning house builder.
Figure 1: Site Location Plan
1.2 The site has been previously promoted through the various stages of the adopted Local Plan and was included as a preferred site as part of the Council’s 2017 consultation paper. Technical documents to support the allocation of the site were submitted, including highways and landscape, demonstrating the sites acceptability and deliverability. Despite this however, the adopted Plan opted to defer allocations to subsequent Neighbourhood Plans, which would deliver the housing targets set out in the Local Plan. For Sharnbrook, the Local Plan allocated 500 dwellings to be delivered through the Neighbourhood Plan.
1.3 Sharnbrook is designated in the Local Plan as a Key Service Centre, which are described as settlements “which contain a good range of services and are well connected to larger town centres by regular public transport. They provide a strong service role for the local community and surrounding area”.

1.4 Sharnbrook was designated as a Neighbourhood Plan area in September 2017. Delays to Neighbourhood Plans were highlighted as a potential issue with the Council’s adopted approach and would not be supported moving forward, particularly having regard for the Housing White Paper which seems to suggest Neighbourhood Plans should focus on issues such as design and design codes, and not the allocation of land.
1.5 The Sharnbrook Neighbourhood Plan Examiner’s Report was published on the 19th July 2021. This concluded that the Plan could proceed to referendum subject to modifications, despite significant concerns relating to the deliverability of the Plan’s key allocation (Hill Farm) and limited evidence to support that the housing requirement could be met having regard for the Plan’s short period up to 2030. The allocation at Hill Farm is predicated on delivery of significant improvements to the junction at the A6, with no confirmation from County Highways that the proposed Neighbourhood Plan allocation is deliverable.
1.6 For ease of reference these representations follow the order of the policies in the Consultation Document.