Q-V3.1: Do you agree that the Vision and Strategic Objectives are appropriate?
Vision and Strategic Objectives: I believe that the Vision and Strategic Objectives should specifically state that avoiding development on greenbelt land will be prioritised at all stages of the plan development. This is not currently the situation with a heavy (unjustified) bias towards development in the greenbelt. The reasoning for this is that the greenbelt in local area has a vital importance in preventing urban sprawl (especially creeping sprawl towards Coventry) and keeping land permanently open. The protection of greenbelt should be given higher priority.
Q-V3.1: Partially. The focus in the Vision to be on the delivery of homes and jobs is appropriate as is the inclusion, where appropriate, to meet the unmet need from neighbouring authorities. The 5 elements of the Vision are considered to be relevant and valid. The site BDW is promoting at Copham’s Hill is an example of a site that will fully address each of the main areas set out in the Vision. Q-V3.2: The vision is set out up to the year 2050. The current National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) para. 22 states that strategic policies should look ahead over a minimum 15-year period from adoption, with policies to be set within a vision that looks further ahead to at least 30 years where larger scale developments such as new settlements or significant extensions to existing villages and towns form part of the strategy. These growth scenarios are currently being considered within South Warwickshire and if preferred, given adoption is likely in 2025, the plan period should be extended to at least 2055.
3.2 Agreed. The Councils rightly recognise that to meet Sustainable Development Needs an allowance for growth in new homes that meets the diverse needs of all residents, including affordable, specialist and self and custom build housing must be addressed in the SWLP. Recognising that the population of the Coventry and Warwickshire area is growing and changing, the projected change in population 2022-2032 is expected to be +6.4%, equating to around 60,632 more people living in Coventry and Warwickshire by 2032 (HEDNA, Table 5.30). This means there will be more homes required of different types and sizes. The Council’s recognise the challenge to accommodate all of this housing within the districts in the most sustainable locations. RPS recognise that the HEDNA’s identified housing need across the Housing Market Area (‘HMA’) for 4,906 dwellings per annum: lower than the standard method as published, and lower mainly due to the stated issues in published population projections for Coventry. Notwithstanding that, it is considered necessary for a number of policies (including Green Belt) to be changed through the plan-making process in order to overcome constraints and meet housing need. 3.3 The Council recognises the need to accommodate the growth in employment opportunities that builds upon the diverse economy in South Warwickshire and neighbouring authorities, through the strategic objective ‘delivering opportunities for jobs’. The HEDNA envisages: 3.4 “a continuing focus of strategic B8 growth … with a greater potential role for South Warwickshire than seen historically. Given the need for Green Belt development if the needs identified are to be met, it would be advisable to coordinate assessment of suitable sites at a sub-regional level to integrate relevant consideration including landscape harm, and limit harm to Green Belt purposes”. Concluding, “It would not be appropriate in our view to simply replicate past development patterns in respect of the spatial distribution of development by local authority. Planning for strategic [employment] development is inevitable in an area where it will be important that the local authorities in the sub-region continue to collaborate”. 3.5 We consider that there is an opportunity to focus growth and development on the edge of urban areas. In the north of Warwick district, the Green Belt adjoins the urban edge of Coventry’s administrative boundary. The urban area provides the main source of jobs, services and public transport and has the potential, with improved infrastructure where necessary, to accommodate significant levels of sustainable growth. This aligns with the objectives regarding ‘supporting vibrant and distinct centres’, ‘providing infrastructure in the right place at the right time’, ‘contributing towards Net Zero Carbon targets’ and ‘connecting people to places’. 3.6 For these reasons, RPS agrees with the strategic objectives and the challenge regarding ‘delivery homes that meet the needs of all our communities’.