Issue and Options 2023

No

Issue E10 – Tourism In response to Q-E10, Bourne Leisure strongly considers that tourism should not be only addressed in the Part 2 SWLP. Referring back to Bourne Leisure’s comments made at the Scoping Consultation stage, the tourism industry is of strategic importance to South Warwickshire. The rationale for not including a Part 1 SWLP tourism policy is noted, although this is inconsistent with the approach taken elsewhere in the consultation document where non-strategic policies are being considered to be taken forward in the Part 1 SWLP. Such non-strategic policies include matters of landscape and heritage. As the consultation document recognises the importance of tourism to the economy of South Warwickshire, a Part 1 policy setting out an overarching approach to tourism would reaffirm the economic and social role of tourist assets in South Warwickshire. This is particularly important given how tourism assets need to continue to evolve to meet visitor expectations and how the visitor economy has changed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. A more detailed Part 2 tourism policy can then be based on the overarching Part 1 tourism policy if necessary

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The importance of shifting to a low carbon economy is understood and shared. If a specific policy which encourages businesses to be low carbon is brought forward – as per Option E2a of the consultation document – emerging low carbon objectives and requirements must be based upon a justified evidence base that is informed by technical feasibility and viability across all sectors. Such a policy should align with the wider transition to a low carbon economy over the proposed plan period, to reduce the prospects of adopting carbon reduction requirements that are too onerous to meet for rural businesses, such as tourism venues that typically are located in countryside locations. Emerging low carbon requirements will, therefore, need to be established within a clear and positive framework so that all types of existing businesses can continue to invest in South Warwickshire. Closely linked to the above, regardless of whether a specific rural diversification policy is brought forward (as per Option E4.1a) or rural diversification is factored into a broader economic diversification policy (as per Option E4.1b), Bourne Leisure considers that there is a need to ensure that the Part 1 SWLP clearly establishes how existing rural businesses, such as Warner Leisure Hotels, will be supported and encouraged to invest so they can assist in delivering the objectives of the emerging plan.

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A policy that encourages the retrofit of climate change measures (as per Option C5b) would be preferable to a policy that requires net zero carbon requirements for all building proposals that require planning permission. Option C5a could result in restrictive and expensive implications for development proposals for the conversion or change of use of existing buildings. Any forthcoming policy should permit a range of options that encourage applicants to avoid, minimise or mitigate the cause of climate change based upon the precise needs and feasibility of the project.

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No answer given

In response to Q-C6.3, it is important that carbon reduction policies in the Part 1 SWLP avoid onerous requirements, well beyond which is normally expected, feasible and readily demonstrable in the current development industry and which the Local Planning Authority (LPA) has the expertise to review. Any requirements should be reflective of national policy requirements and therefore Bourne Leisure considers that the preferred approach should be Option C6.1c, so not to discourage investment in the area. If Whole Life-Cycle Carbon Emissions Assessments are introduced through the Part 1 SWLP, the policy requirement for such a document should include different targets for different scales and types of development. Whilst there will be a need for it to be simple to understand, and it should address circumstances such as applications being determined that cross the threshold dates, this approach would allow the policy to properly respond to different sectors, types and nature of developments. It would also give the development industry an opportunity to be prepared for any new requirements. Further to this, any new policies should recognise the challenge of meeting any such requirements for conversions, changes of use and the extensions of buildings.

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