Support

Representation ID: 60231

Received: 27/07/2013

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

The distribution strategy put forward by the Authority in RDS3 seeks to focus development within, and on the edges of, the existing urban area. In so doing it seeks to protect the Green Belt where there are non Green Belt options available and seeks to avoid development in areas which would lead to the unacceptable coalescence of settlements.

The approach goes on to suggest a proportionate amount of growth in the rural areas, based on a hierarchical approach to the suitability of rural settlements.

This strategy is consistent with the NPPF in terms of sustainable development paras 151 and 152 refers.

The distribution strategy put forward by the District Council can deliver a considerable number of positive impacts in environmental, social and economic terms. The spatial strategy is therefore supported.

The distribution approach will perform mindful of paragraph 7 of the NPPF, an economic role by providing land of the right type in the right place proposing development that can assist in delivering infrastructure particularly in the proposed strategic urban extension sites to the south of Warwick and encouraging higher skilled economic sectors directing employment growth in the vicinity of the Warwick Technology Park.

The strategy also performs a social role by providing housing in locations that are accessible to services and can support strong, vibrant and healthy communities.

Lastly the strategy provides an environmental role. This includes: maintaining and enhancing landscape and townscape quality and promoting biodiversity by enhancing connectivity and diversity of habitats and wildlife corridors and positively encouraging energy efficiency.

In particular the distribution strategy proposed at RDS3 provides a clear prioritisation that land outside of the Green Belt on the edge of existing urban areas is to be used in preference to locations within the Green Belt which closes the gap between existing settlements and could potentially lead to their coalescence.

This addresses a concern previously raised at Preferred Options stage. The NPPF, at paragraph 85, is clear that Green Belt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances. It is the case that the updated evidence base provided by the Council (summarised at 4.3.4 to 4.3.12) demonstrates that the previous perception that additional development should be accommodated in the Green Belt to the north west of Leamington as an exceptional circumstance cannot be substantiated.

In reality the evidence base supports the release of further land to the south of Warwick, outside of the Green Belt, as a sustainable approach.