Object

Representation ID: 60205

Received: 29/07/2013

Respondent: Margaret Hamilton

Largely supports the views of the Warwick Deserves Better Campaign.

The revised development plan is seeking to meet the needs of hypothetical future people who may wish to come to the Warwick District and not the housing and development needs of the current population.

The logic of this approach is bizarre and can be moulded into whatever policy an official saw fit, irrespective of facts or probability.

Perhaps the approach can be summed up as the "Field of Dreams" philosophy of "build it and they will come".

Providing sustainable levels of growth:

The levels of growth envisioned are not sustainable- in that the level of infrastructure, its distribution, housing location and jobs, do not match the population growth forecast.

A 40% increase in Warwick's population over 15 years is clearly unsustainable and will cause immense, irreversible damage to the character of the County Town.

Level of Housing Growth 2011 - 2029 Level of Population Growth and demand for housing assumptions:

* The revised plan approach is not "sustainable" as set out in the NPPF.

* A realistic forecast of need would mean that the District already has the required five-year supply of sites, balancing housing with employment growth and matching the housing market.

These are flawed in the proposed revised development strategy paper, because:

* The projected housing need of 12,300 new homes to be built is much too high;

* Less than half that number would meet local needs;

* It is wrong to forecast as far into the future as 2029, and to allocate greenfield land now;

It is akin to having no plan at all, allowing uncontrolled growth, just leaving developers to decide what to build and when- as with proposals to build commercial property on St Mary Lands and housing on land designated for future employment

Recent government figures show that demand from migration is now falling, and it is stated National Government policy to greatly reduce net migration in the future. Why is WDC planning for an even greater level of growth over the next 15 years.

* The impact of a prolonged recession which the Prime Minister says could last another decade, will impact on the ability of individuals to afford housing;

* Illustrated by the rapidly rising age of first time buyers and the profound demographic change since 2008 in more young adults living at home with their parents for much longer than in the past;

* So why is the plan still assuming a rapid increase in demand for single occupancy households; when the actual demographic trend is away from this? Average age of first house purchase is now 37;

* Is the modelling based on current data, or is it simply looking at the demand during the decade of rapid growth and easy availability of mortgage loans pre the 2008 crash?

* This in turn could mean that in fact far less individual units are required for the District as a whole, but a greater emphasis should be given for multi-generational living, with semi-independent adults?

* The complete rejection of the vast majority of respondents views at the previous consultation and instead deciding on an even higher number- 12300- is both perverse and undemocratic

* The Local Plan does not appear to consider that many potential individuals from outside the area may choose to live at the new town proposed for Gaydon rather than Distribution of housing within the District


Definitions of affordable Housing:

* Suggests that the definition of what is affordable housing needs broadening:

* The plan highlights the need for housing for the elderly and the growth of the elderly as a % of the population.

* One solution to their needs and the obvious trends in semi-independent adults living much longer with their parents would be to classify "granny flats" or semi separated apartments within houses as going towards the "affordable housing" targets.

* Multigenerational living should be encouraged as it meets housing need, is sustainable and reflects changing land-use patterns

* Encourage this by incorporating it into the plan's housing targets and helps meet the need for "mixed" housing.