Although the Plan has been presented to the public at the various stages of its evolution, there has been little change as a result of the response from the public opposing the overall scale of development, urbanisation of the South of the District, and encroachment on the Green Belt.

Housing numbers: This calculation is highly speculative and inevitably based on poor quality evidence and data. The LPA calculate a need for approximately 12,900 dwellings, while another equally competent assessment reached a figure of 5,500.

As the plan is subject to review during its 15 year life it would be safer to plan for the lower figure. It could be revised upwards if need were demonstrated.

The recently published ONS population projection shows a 29% reduction on its previous estimate. This illustrates the difficulty of making such predictions, and thus the need for caution in using this data in consequent planning decisions. The process of 'development' is not reversible.