The Council plan to allocate the vast majority of development to non-Green Belt sites which is in accordance with section 9 of the NPPF which seeks to protect Green Belt land. However, we welcome the acknowledgement that options in Green Belt villages must be considered in order to meet the full needs of a growing population. This is particularly pertinent in light of the recent publication of the Coventry & Warwickshire joint Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) that the District housing need is likely to be in excess of that planned for in the current consultation.

Whilst the NPPF seeks to protect Green Belt, it states that the appropriate mechanism for altering Green Belt boundaries is via the preparation of a Local Plan. Of particular importance is the reference at paragraph 83 that in considering boundaries, permanence and endurance of the boundary are key. The growing population and increased need as demonstrated by the joint SHMA is likely to put pressure on Green Belt boundaries in the future. It is therefore important that the Council plan for sufficient land to be released from the Green Belt now, in order to avoid pressure and defend boundary amendments in the future.