Local Plan 2040 Draft Plan - Strategy options and draft policies consultation

Object

Representation ID: 5658

Received: 07/09/2021

Respondent: Living Space Housing

The current timetable for the Local Plan 2040 anticipates adoption by Winter 2023. The Council is currently
consulting on a Strategic Options version of the Plan, which suggests the Plan requirement will be 25,500 houses over the Plan period (2020 – 2040). Living Space support the Council in using this figure as their starting point, but believe that this should be seen as a minimum figure. The Council have an opportunity to allocate land to ensure a robust supply of housing over the Plan period, setting this figure as a minimum will help achieve this.

The draft Plan proposes a series of Options for the Local Plan Strategy. Each Option provides the district with
different opportunities, and Living Space believe that the final strategy should be a mix of each option.

Both Options 2b and 2c propose New Settlements. Whilst Living Space believe that new settlements can help boost land supply and create new opportunities for a district, the delivery of new settlements can be lengthy and often encounter delays. Furthermore, recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that, where new settlements are proposed, Planning Policies should be looking further ahead (at least 30 years) to take into account the likely timescale for delivery. Therefore, the Council will need to amend their Local Plan period if they propose a new settlement.

Please see attached representations letter on behalf of Living Space Housing.