Q-D5: Should we continue with the approach to include a high-level strategic policy within the Part 1 plan and to utilise heritage assessments to inform the growth strategy, and delay detailed policies to Part 2?
QD5 Heritage assets are undoubtedly important to the character of South Warwickshire and should be considered at a strategic level within Part 1 of the South Warwickshire Local Plan, helping inform the strategic growth strategy. Detailed heritage policies are will be deferred to part 2. The Parish Council supports heritage assessments
Issue D1 – Strategic Design Principles 5.15.1 St. Modwen support the introduction of a policy relating to strategic design principles. Our vision for land to the East of Southam is founded upon design principles linked to a comprehensive development approach, creating a pleasant environment to live and work that related and integrates with its surroundings. We also agree that development should be distinctive and build upon the unique characteristics of its surroundings creating a positive sense of place. 5.15.2 St. Modwen’s vision for land to the east of Southam focuses on connectiveness to existing town services and facilities whilst providing on site facilities to the benefit of existing and new residents. The development is also proposed to be landscape led with environmental sustainability and net zero carbon ambitions at the heart of the vision. Issue D2 – Design Codes and design guides 5.16.1 St. Modwen support the use of design guides and/or design codes where the spatial strategy identifies significant change. Careful consideration needs to be given to the time taken in Local Plan making and application processing to ensure that the process of agreeing design guides does not materially impact on the speed of housing delivery. Policy provision should require the need to provide design guides or codes as part of applications and the Council policy position should support the timely review and approval of such codes. Issue D4 – Safe and attractive streets and public spaces 5.16.1 St. Modwen support the use of appropriate range of topics for a policy on the design of safe and attractive streets. Clarity is required as to the acceptable adoptable standards for new highways where the developer and authority seek to agree the use of street trees. The specific adoptions process will need to be agreed and Warwickshire County Highways team agree to the provision of street trees as part of a SWLP policy as without their endorsement then the implementation of this policy will be problematic.
Question D3: Option D3d is the most appropriate option for South Warwickshire to ensure an effective and efficient use of land in meeting the need for homes in accordance with paragraphs 119 and 124 of the NPPF. 3.57 Specifically, paragraph 125 of the NPPF is clear that it is “especially important that planning policies and decisions avoid homes being built at low densities”. It also states the following (underlining for emphasis): “a) plans should contain policies to optimise the use of land in their area and meet as much of the identified need for housing as possible. This will be tested robustly at examination, and should include the use of minimum density standards for city and town centres and other locations that are well served by public transport. These standards should seek a significant uplift in the average density of residential development within these areas, unless it can be shown that there are strong reasons why this would be inappropriate; b) the use of minimum density standards should also be considered for other parts of the plan area. It may be appropriate to set out a range of densities that reflect the accessibility and potential of different areas, rather than one broad density range; and” 3.58 For example, Hampton Magna is well served by Warwick Parkway railway station which offers frequent train services to Birmingham, Coventry and London – all key economic hubs for commuters from South Warwickshire. 3.59 Furthermore, paragraph 154 of the NPPF relating to climate change adaptation and mitigation (a key overarching principle of the SWLP) sets out new development should reduce greenhouse gas emissions via its location. This can be made possible by increasing densities around Warwick Parkway railway station which is an efficient, safe and accessible means of transport with a low impact on the environment. Q-D5: Should we continue with the approach to include a high-level strategic policy within the Part 1 plan and to utilise heritage assessments to inform the growth strategy, and delay detailed policies to Part 2? 3.60 The SWLP should continue with the approach to include a high-level strategic policy on protecting and enhancing heritage assets. Heritage assessments should be used to inform the spatial pattern of housing growth in South Warwickshire. The Issues & Options consultation is supported by a Heritage and Settlement Sensitivity Assessment dated September 2022. It currently omits mitigation included in proposed strategic sites. The assessment will need to be updated to thoroughly assess which strategic sites can feasibly avoid and/or mitigate harm from new development. 3.62 In the context of Taylor Wimpey’s interests north and east of Hampton Magna, as detailed in the development framework in the Vision Document (Appendix 1), the following is concluded in heritage terms: (i) Owing to the distance and intervening landscaping and highways network, it is considered development on the site will not result in a harmful impact on the significant of the Warwick Conservation Area. (ii) If any harm were to be concluded on the potential impact on the Grade II listed St Michaels Church and the Grand Union Canal Conservation Area, it is likely to be at the lower end of the spectrum of less than substantial harm. 3.63 An independent review of the Heritage and Settlement Sensitivity Assessment can be found at Appendix 2 and will inform a proportionate review of the development framework.
Option D2b: Develop design guides and/or design codes for specific places (e.g. existing settlements or groups of settlements, or an ‘area’ in the case of a new settlement) where the spatial strategy identifies significant change. St Joseph disagrees with Option D2a in terms of preparing a single reference document to cover the entirety of South Warwickshire. Design Guides need to be specific to individual areas, and proposed strategic development sites. Design Guides are also informed by local groups, such as Neighbourhood Plan Steering Groups, therefore specific to individual areas. Part 1 and Part 2 of the Plan may allocate large-scale development sites, where site specific Design Guides will benefit developers. Therefore, St Joseph suggest design guides and/or design codes should be prepared for specific areas should they be deemed necessary. Option D3b: Include a policy which specifies a minimum density requirement across South Warwickshire, whilst emphasising that the minimum may be exceeded. This minimum could for example be set at a similar level to the existing policy in Warwick District - i.e. minimum 30d.p.h. St Joseph support the approach of including a policy which sets out the minimum density requirement, along with emphasising that the minimum can, and should be exceed where appropriate. St Joseph recommends reviewing areas in terms of urban areas where the minimum density should be increased to encourage development within sustainable locations.
Q-D2: Caddick Land considers Option D2c most appropriate and notes that these are likely to be the larger and more strategic sites, such as any new settlements. It is not appropriate to have a Design Guide across South Warwickshire as the area is too vast, and has a range of characteristics, therefore would not be representative or achieve suitable design across a variety of landscapes. Therefore, each Site should be assessed on its’ own merits. Q-D3: Caddick Land supports Option D3b where policy should specify a minimum density requirement across South Warwickshire. However, the Policy needs to be fully tested and evidence to decipher the minimum housing density and requires caveats to enable differen t densities to be achieved, such as where housing need requires a greater number of one bedroom flats, or 4 bedroom houses which would impact upon density. Furthermore, potential site constraints may also impact upon density, consequently, policy needs to be worded identifying the minimum density to be achieved, unless an alternative can otherwise be demonstrated as suitable. 6.5 However, in the current evidence base, it is difficult to fully establish and understand the housing need in relation to house types8 without further sufficient evidence, therefore it is difficult to decipher a suitable housing density. 6.6 It is crucial however that developers continue to maximise their densities across land, without having a negative detrimental visual impact, however should focus on the efficient use of land, in order to contribute towards achieving and delivering the much needed housing numbers. 6.7 One point of clarification is in relation to the density suggestion, as Option D3b states that an example could be set at a similar level to that of the existing policy at Warwick, being 30dph, whereas the Sustainability Appraisal, produced as part of the evidence base has based upon the assessment upon 35dph, thus an inconsistency between the two approaches.
Issue D2: Design Codes and design guides NWBC Response – A mix of three main Options D2a to D2c may be most appropriate, with an overall Design Guide that breaks down to (has related Appendices or SPD type guides as a ‘framework’ of associated documents) more settlement and/or site or development specific design guides or codes. No further comments. Q-D3: Please select all options which are appropriate for South Warwickshire NWBC Response – A minimum density expectation should be identified for the plan to ensure efficient use of development land. A mix/combination of Options D3b to D3c may be most appropriate, to ensure appropriate ‘minimum’ densities are achieved yet provide for flexibility where necessary and appropriate, allowing lower density design in rural landscape or heritage circumstances (if relevant) and including where significantly increased densities could be applied/enabled. The lack of sufficient public transport and sustainable transport links/routes in rural areas may make Option D3d difficult to apply. No further comments.
Q-D2: Design codes should not be unduly restrictive. Detailed design of a site should take into account the relevant technical considerations that will not be fully investigated at the plan making stage Q-D5: While heritage assets are important to the character of South Warwickshire and require consideration in plan-making, they should not dominate the growth strategy unduly.