Object
Revised Development Strategy
Representation ID: 54354
Received: 29/07/2013
Respondent: Midland Red (South) Ltd. dba Stagecoach Midlands
We suuport allocation of that portion of the site already the subject of an withdrawn application; but not for development to extend more than 400m south of Harbury Lane, as this area would not be accessible to high-quality bus services. Higher-density development along the existing bus route on Harbury Lane would be justified, and this would tend to reduce the need to extend the footprint to the south.
We note a formal planning application was made for the northern portion of this site. Stagecoach Midlands notes that the promoter has made no provision for a bus service to penetrate the site directly or indirectly in those proposals. These have now been withdrawn. We found this omission most concerning. We submit that any future proposals for this land should assume the retention and enhancement of the existing service along the existing route/s, with attractive pedestrian links to quality bus stops provided on Harbury Lane. This approach justifies higher densities on the northern edge of future proposals that come forward. As a corollary it may be appropriate to reduce densities at the southern edge especially if these plots end up being outside a reasonable 400m walking distance of stops on Harbury Lane.
This would also support wider urban design and planning objectives.
We object to the development footprint extending further south onto land beyond the initial application site, as this land is well over 400m away from Harbury Lane and will not be within reasonable walking distance of a good bus service.