Issue and Options 2023

Q-S3.2: Please select the option which is most appropriate for South Warwickshire We consider Option S3.2a is most appropriate for South Warwickshire. Reusing suitable brownfield land for new development can provide an effective use of land and reduces the need for development on undeveloped greenfield sites. National policy places emphasis on strategic policies setting out a clear strategy for accommodating objectively assessed needs, in a way that makes as much use as possible of previously developed or ‘brownfield’ land. Currently, redevelopment proposals for previously developed land in the open countryside in Stratford-on-Avon District would either be assessed against Core Strategy Policy AS.10 ‘Countryside and Villages’ or Policy AS.11 ‘Large Rural Brownfield Sites’, depending on whether the site is to be considered ‘small scale’ or an ‘extensive’ previously developed site. Policy AS.11 ‘Large Rural Brownfields Sites’ supports the re-use and redevelopment of extensive previously developed sites in the countryside, outside the Green Belt, where it can be demonstrated that the proposal is in compliance with the following criteria: a) The extent to which the nature of the proposed development would be in the national or local interest. b) Whether the form and scale of the proposed development could reasonably be provided elsewhere in the District in a manner that is consistent with the overall development strategy set out in this Plan. c) The extent to which the nature of the proposed development would be beneficial compared with the current use and condition of the site. d) The scale and nature of impacts, including visual, noise and light, on the character of the local area and local communities. e) The extent to which features that are statutorily protected or of local importance are affected and any impact on them can be mitigated. f) The scope to minimise the need to travel and promote the use of transport other than the private car. g) The absence of development on any area of the site liable to flood risk.’ If sites are to be regarded as small scale, redevelopment proposals would be assessed against Policy AS.10 ‘Countryside and Villages’. This policy applies to all parts of the District apart from those which lie within the Built Up Area Boundaries defined for Stratford-upon-Avon and the Main Rural Centres and land covered by Policy AS.11 Large Rural Brownfield Sites. Policy AS.10 includes a ‘residential’ section which considers which forms of development in the countryside are acceptable in principle. There are nine such criteria included. However, none are applicable to small-scale housing schemes on previously developed sites adjoining or close to defined Built-Up Area Boundaries of settlements. There is an internal tension within Policy AS.10 between an underlying purpose in terms of promoting development on previously developed land in sustainable locations and the containment of housing within settlements. It is considered that Option S3.2a, which seeks to prioritise brownfield development if it can be proven that the development is in a sustainable location, would resolve the current tension within Policy AS.10. Land off Waterloo Road, Bidford-on-Avon comprises previously developed land immediately to the north of Bidford-on-Avon, separated from the defined Built-up Area Boundary by a watercourse (known as Small Brook) and the Green Acres Travellers Site to the south. The location is considered geographically sustainable by reason of its accessibility for pedestrians via a dedicated footpath on Waterloo Road that leads to the site entrance. In addition, the nearest bus stop to the site is located approximately 400 metres (within walking distance) to the south on Waterloo Road. Services from this stop operate regularly, with hourly services (buses 247 and 247s) to Redditch, Alcester and Evesham. The Site is not land of high environmental value, nor would redevelopment of this site lead to the loss of agricultural land or result in any encroachment into the countryside as the proposals would involve the redevelopment of the available brownfield land within the site. The delivery of this site for approximately 10 dwellings would not put undue pressure on key elements of infrastructure in Bidford-on-Avon, including Bidford-on-Avon Primary School. The scale of development is appropriate to Bidford-on-Avon, due to its position within the settlement hierarchy as a Main Rural Centre. Overall, it is considered that the re-development of the promotion site would constitute sustainable development by reason of: • Reducing the need for development on undeveloped greenfield sites • It would not lead to the loss of agricultural land or result in any encroachment into the countryside • It is well connected to the built-up area of Bidford-on-Avon and has good accessibility for pedestrians via a dedicated footpath on Waterloo Road that leads to the site entrance • It would minimise the need to travel and promote the use of transport other than the private car, particularly due to the close proximity to employment opportunities available within Bidford-on-Avon in addition to its good accessibility to bus services Therefore, Option S3.2a, which seeks to prioritise brownfield development if it can be proven that the development is in a sustainable location or would increase the sustainability of the area, is supported. Q-S7.2: For each growth option, please indicate whether you feel it is an appropriate strategy for South Warwickshire: It is considered that none of these Spatial Growth Options should be selected exclusively. A portfolio approach which seeks to prioritise settlements which benefit from a combination of the above growth options and principles, would be more conducive to sustainable growth. For example, the only second-tier settlement in Stratford-on-Avon District which benefits from a railway station is Henley-in-Arden, which lies within the West Midlands Green Belt. Consequently, this growth option would require the release of Green Belt land. Equally, dispersing growth (Option 5) would not help encourage sustainable travel, as many of the new homes in smaller, rural settlements and villages would inevitably be poorly connected by public transport, and long distances from the facilities needed for day-to-day life. A portfolio approach would follow the advice in the Framework, which expects development to be focussed in the most sustainable locations in terms of availability of shops, facilities and services, as well as access by modes of transport other than the private car. In addition, this approach would allow development to be distributed over a range of settlements rather than in single settlements in order to ensure their vitality and viability in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. Bidford-on-Avon is clearly a sustainable location to accommodate additional housing growth. As set out previously under Q-S4.1, Bidford-on-Avon is categorised as a ‘Main Rural Centre’ in Policy CS.15 of the adopted Stratford-on-Avon Core Strategy and is one of the most sustainable settlements in the settlement hierarchy and spatial distribution of growth in Stratford-on-Avon District. Bidford-on-Avon is a large village which contains a range of local services and facilities, including a supermarket, convenience store, primary school, pharmacy, restaurants and public houses. There is an established industrial estate, which supports a wide range of jobs, to the north of Bidford-on-Avon off Waterloo Road. The promotion site would be well connected to the built-up area of Bidford-on-Avon and would constitute sustainable development. It has good accessibility for pedestrians via a dedicated footpath on Waterloo Road that leads to the site entrance. In addition, the nearest bus stop to the site is located approximately 400 metres (within walking distance) to the south on Waterloo Road. Services from this stop operate regularly, with hourly services (buses 247 and 247s) to Redditch, Alcester and Evesham. A portfolio approach to growth in South Warwickshire would ensure that housing is focused in existing settlements, such as Bidford-on-Avon, where there are existing employment opportunities, local services and facilities, and where there is a need to ensure vitality. It is considered that this growth option would be consistent with national planning policy and basic sustainability principles and should be supported as the Plan progresses.