Support

Representation ID: 60236

Received: 27/07/2013

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

In environmental terms these sites have a positive impact.

* They promote biodiversity and geo diversity and protect the historic environment.
* The built form of the sites can be defined by the landscape and topography setting and do not give rise to any loss of important views.
* Opportunities for positive enhancements through the approach of providing comprehensive green infrastructure including the provision of a country park to the south of Lower Heathcote Farm as envisaged at Paragraph 5.1.10 of the RDS.

* Large areas of the sites will be given over to high quality, useable open space incorporating green corridors.

* Offer opportunity for positive enhancements in terms of avoiding impact for food risk and prudently using natural resources.

* The location of the sites in providing improved levels of housing in locations easily accessible to employment opportunities provides a positive economic impact.

* A range of housing can be provided consistent with creating balanced and mixed communities.

* There is also the opportunity to encourage sustainable travel as the proposals offer the opportunity for improved public transport and the provision of pedestrian and cycling routes throughout the sites linking to the green infrastructure network and services and facilities beyond the site boundaries.

In social terms the sites:

* provide a positive impact on social factors. This includes improving the availability of sustainable transport and creating balanced and mixed communities. I
* will give rise to positive impacts arise in terms of promoting safe communities, improving health and improving community participation. Due to the range of services in the area including the primary school, provision for open space, sport and recreation as part of the extensive green infrastructure and the provision of a local centre as part of the Lower Heathcote Farm proposal which can act as a focus for community activity.

The Lower Heathcote and south of Gallows Hill sites are therefore sustainable in the terms set out in the NPPF.

The sustainability advantages of the sites are also recognised in the Final Interim SA Report produced by the Council alongside the RDS.