Object

Representation ID: 71679

Received: 17/02/2020

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey

Agent: Turley

Taylor Wimpey consider that policy RLS2 can be read as a duplication of key elements from policies SC0 and BE1 of the WDLP, as well as the Warwick District Council Residential Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (2018).
Within the explanatory text to Policy RLS2, the RLSNP notes that “The Warwick Local Plan, through Policy BE1 Layout and Design, sets a framework for assessing the design of planning proposals. This includes all the key features and attributes of what is considered to be good design. Policy RLS2 does not need, or seek, to repeat these, but seeks to add further policy detail.” Notwithstanding Taylor Wimpey’s comments relating to the duplication of policies from the WDLP, where the RLSNP has included ‘further policy detail’ is around the requirement for proposals to achieve Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
A Government Deregulation Bill in 2015 revoked the Code for Sustainable Homes from planning policy guidance, meaning that local planning authorities and qualifying bodies preparing neighbourhood plans should not set in their emerging local plans, neighbourhood plans, or supplementary planning documents, any additional local technical standards or requirements relating to the construction, internal layout or performance of new dwellings. This includes any policy requiring any level of the Code for Sustainable Homes to be achieved by new development.Therefore, as currently drafted Policy RLS2 is both a duplication of policies within the adopted WDLP and includes policy requirements which are not in accordance with national policy, thus not meeting basic conditions 8(2)(a) and 8(2)(e).