Issue and Options 2023
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New searchThe limitations of the Urban Capacity Study (Arup 2022) are highlighted in the report. The study is a theoretical exercise only. It is not intended to conclusively establish the urban housing capacity of South Warwickshire over the period to 2050. Instead it simply indicates a current potential urban housing capacity. More detailed work is required to confirm actual capacity. It is important to note that the study has not been informed by the outcome of an area-wide HELAA. The Urban Capacity Study concludes that there is a potential 19,950 housing supply (including windfall sites) and states that there is an additional potential up to 3,400 dwellings capacity that could be delivered on car parks. This means that in total up to 23,350 dwellings may be able to be delivered in urban areas in South Warwickshire. This assumes that all sites identified in the urban capacity study are deliverable and viable, and that the upper number of dwellings to be delivered on car parks is achievable. All of these assumptions require further testing, including on a viability basis, once the HELAA has been published. This identified capacity compares to a total baseline housing need in the area of 41,975 dwellings as calculated from the trend based calculation in the HEDNA, assuming a plan period from 2025-2050. This results in a c.18,625 dwelling shortfall (which could be higher once any cross-boundary apportionment of development from Coventry and / or Birmingham has been taken into consideration). The study concludes that it is unlikely to be possible to meet current development needs without significant greenfield development. However, in light of the figures set out above, the study should categorically conclude that a significant amount of greenfield development in sustainable locations will be required.
Q-S3.2: Option S3.2a: Prioritise brownfield development only when it corresponds with the identified growth strategy, or if it can be proven that the development is in a sustainable location or would increase the sustainability of the area. Paragraph 119 of the NPPF is clear that planning policies should make effective use of land, including as much use as possible of previously-developed or “brownfield” land. Furthermore, NPPF paragraph 120 states that planning policies should give substantial weight to the value of using suitable brownfield land. Nevertheless this should be viewed in the context of NPPF paragraph 73, which identifies that the supply of large numbers of new homes can often be best achieved through planning for larger scale development, such as extensions to existing villages and towns, provided that they are well located. Although significant encouragement is given to the development of brownfield land, it is still necessary to provide an adequate justification for the use of brownfield land in accordance with the strategy for the sustainable distribution of growth within the Local Plan area. It should not the case that brownfield land should be considered over all other options if the specific sites are not suitable, viable, deliverable or sustainable locations for housing in line with the Councils’ strategy. To ensure a plan led approach, the Councils’ strategy should be to follow a clear locational strategy that promotes sustainable development, which includes the optimisation of brownfield land where appropriate, whilst also acknowledging the role that greenfield land should play. This approach is consistent with option S3.2a.
Appendices 2 and 3 of the Settlement Design Analysis (January 2023) includes design analysis for Hampton Magna, Hatton Park and ‘Warwick North’ respectively. Both of these maps do not take into consideration the full extent of the land to the north west of Warwick Parkway Railway Station, with the exception of identifying the location of the canal and the footpath along the canal towpath. This is an omission and should be rectified to allow this area to be properly considered. This site is on the edge of Warwick Town and is included within Sustainability Appraisal Broad Area B.30. The evidence base must be consistent in its consideration of potential development locations.
Q-S4.1 Yes As included in response to QS3.2, NPPF paragraph 73 identifies that the supply of large numbers of new homes can often be best achieved through planning for larger scale development, such as extensions to existing villages and towns, provided that they are well located. The growth of existing settlements can take account of the existing services, facilities and infrastructure that are already in place to support sustainable growth.
Q-S5.2 Do you think new settlements should be part of the overall strategy? Possibly The delivery of new settlements could be taken into consideration as part of the wider strategy, given the potential that they could offer to make a significant contribution to new housing delivery. It should however be recognised that the delivery from large strategic sites can be very slow in the early stages of the new Local Plan period. As set out in the Lichfields ‘Start to Finish Report’ (Feb 2020) the average time from the validation of first application to completion of the first dwelling for a scheme of 2,000+ dwellings is 8.4 years. As such it is crucial that a sufficient number of non-new settlement sites are allocated to address the first 0-10 years of the plan period. This should include a mix of substantial strategic sites and smaller sites.
Q-S5.3: In response to the climate change emergencies, we are looking at rail corridors as a preferred approach to identifying potential locations. Do you agree? Yes (an approach which capitalises on opportunities in proximity to existing rail corridors should be carried forward into the final chosen strategy). This approach should be taken into account in relation to the location of new development in general, especially more substantial strategic sites, and not just limited to new settlements. South Warwickshire has some unique opportunities for locating new development close to public transport corridors, especially including rail corridors. The South Warwickshire authorities benefit from a number of railway stations which provide links to a multitude of locations across both HMAs and the wider region. Development in close proximity to these stations will improve the utilisation of these stations and potentially provide a critical mass to assist with sustaining the facilities at these stations and their viability. Further commentary in relation to this is set out in response to Q- 7.2 below.
