Object

Representation ID: 65723

Received: 26/06/2014

Respondent: Gallagher Estates

Agent: Pegasus Group

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

The strategy of the plan is considered to be inherently sound and positively prepared. However considers that the plan may not be able to achieve its 15 year vision due to the end date of 2029. This should be extended at the very least to 2030, however to built in flexibility should the plan slip extending the period to 2031 would be justified. Encouraged by the Council's commitment to ensuring the duty to cooperate is met. However it is important that mechanisms are in place to ensure compliance with the duty and further detail about the process are made available perhaps in the form of a duty to cooperate statement. This should also address how co-operation has been discharged in neighbouring housing market areas, particularly the major urban areas. Endorses the view that high house prices are a key issue in the district and that the local plan needs to tackle the issue. Share the view of the Local Plan that, in order to do so, there is a need to plan positively to provide more housing to meet future needs. Supports vision for the district, it is clear and concise. The spatial strategy in para 1.43 is sound however there is concern that it is very much in summary form. This is easily overcome by paragraph 1.43 cross referring to the full spatial strategy contained at Policy DS4 of the Plan.