Issue and Options 2023

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Issue S4: Growth of existing settlements The Issues and Options document confirms that “The South Warwickshire Local Plan will seek to maximise the capacity of its existing urban areas in order to meet our development needs to 2050”. The SWLP area includes nine towns (Alcester, Henley-in-Arden, Kenilworth, Royal Leamington Spa, Shipston-on-Stour, Southam, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Whitnash). The SWLP has considered potential growth of their existing settlements. It is appropriate to consider the potential for growth in the existing settlements. The Issues and Options SWLP has initially considered Connectivity, Accessibility, Density and Local Facilities through the Settlement Design Analysis. In relation to Henley-in-Arden, the Landform Analysis shows that there are limited directions for growth in Henley-in-Arden, owing to constraints such as green infrastructure, topography and Flood Plain. The Landform Analysis suggests that west of Henley-in-Arden and north of Henley-in-Arden are the only locations which are landform constraint free. The Connectivity Analysis grades land to the west of Henley-in-Arden (identified as 1D) as D (on a scale of A-E. However, the connectivity analysis has failed to properly assess the existence of an important footpath underneath the railway (via an underpass) which provides additional walking and cycling connectivity to land to the west of Henley-in-Arden which has been missed in the analysis. As a consequence, the results of the Connectivity Analysis are flawed. We understand that this footpath has been discounted because the existing pathway heads into open countryside and would not currently be used for connectivity within the settlement. However, this conclusion is unreasonable and fails to consider the potential for enhanced accessibility that the existing footpath provides. This is a key oversight which influences the conclusions of the connectivity analysis. The footpath unlocks access to the west of Henley, and in our view, to an extent provides some resolution to the physical barrier of the railway line, you have identified. We consider that it is therefore extremely important when considering connectivity and the potential for future growth in Henley-in-Arden, to include consideration of the underpass within the analysis. The footpath underneath the railway (via an underpass) provides additional walking and cycling connectivity to land to the west of Henley-in-Arden, the importance of which has been misrepresented in the analysis. The footpath connection to the site from Brook End Drive has a minimum width of 1.5m, connecting to the site through the railway bridge underpass. This pathway could also be resurfaced and lit as part of any proposals at the site. Brook End Drive provides direct access to Henley-in-Arden Railway Station, a 450m (5 minute) walking distance from the eastern site boundary. This route provides step-free access to the railway station and the eastern platform. Not including the pathway is a key oversight to the connectivity conclusions, which are therefore flawed. We consider that this pathway should be included within the connectivity analysis. In our view inclusion of the footpath to the underpass would change the conclusions of Area 1D to the west of Henley-in-Arden, within the connectivity analysis. We consider that this pathway should be included within the connectivity analysis, and moreover, when assessed correctly, including the underpass access, land to the west of Henleyin-Arden would score a higher grade. The Local Facilities Review shows that west of Henley-in-Arden is well connected in terms of facilities. The review confirms that within 800m there is access to Retail, economy, employment, places to meet, open space and leisure, health care and education. This ranks equal first in comparison with the other directions for growth. Utilising land to the west of Henley-in-Arden would tie into the 20 minute neighbourhood principles which the SWLP is seeking to implement. In addition to the Settlement Design Analysis, the Urban Capacity Analysis confirms that there is limited scope for town centre residential development.

Issue S6: A review of Green Belt boundaries To fully consider all options, the spatial growth options are presented with Green Belt policy “off”. Therefore, all five refined options include locations within the Green Belt. The Issues and Options confirms that a decision “on whether to take land out of the Green Belt are interlinked with the selection of a growth option, and the balance of Green Belt and non-Green Belt locations varies between growth options”. A large area of Stratford and Warwick is designated as Green Belt. This includes some of the larger settlements such as Alcester, Henley-in-Arden, Cubbington and Kenilworth, and subsequently the majority of the area’s railway stations with several lines running through the area covered by Green Belt. The Issues and Options document states acknowledges that “the location and spread of the Green Belt in South Warwickshire may mean that limiting growth to locations outside of the existing Green Belt designation may not be the most sustainable or climate friendly option as it pushes development away from areas that are well connected with good infrastructure and better access to facilities and services towards areas with more limited infrastructure and where further travel would be necessitated.” The Issues and Options document states that the responses to the previous consultation confirmed that 54% of respondents supported the exploration of growth opportunities in the Green Belt. HIA Developments LLP considers that a Green Belt review is necessary. In the context of the proposed Plan Period up to 2050, it seems reasonable to assess all sites, both Green Belt and non-Green Belt. HIA Developments consider that the South Warwickshire Plan should consider growth opportunities in the Green Belt where they would offer sustainable development (for example railway connections), and agree with the Issues and Options document that locations outside of the existing Green Belt designation may not be the most sustainable or climate friendly option. There has been very little growth in Henley-in-Arden due to its location in the Green Belt. The protection of Henley-in-Arden is precluding sustainable development. It is therefore considered that a Green Belt Review should form part of the evidence base, to ensure that development is not excluded in sustainable locations. Issue S7: Refined Spatial Growth Options 2.24 The Scoping and Call for Sites document proposed seven initial options for growth. These wereas follows: • Option A: Rail Corridors • Option B: Main Bus Corridors • Option C: Main Road Corridors • Option D: Enterprise Hubs • Option E: Socio Economic • Option F: Main Urban Areas • Option G: Dispersed These have been reduced to five options. The five options are: • Option 1: Rail Corridors (includes Henley-in-Arden) • Option 2: Sustainable Travel (includes Henley-in-Arden) • Option 3: Economy (includes Henley-in-Arden) • Option 4: Sustainable Travel and Economy (includes Henley-in-Arden) • Option 5: Dispersed (includes Henley-in-Arden) As identified above, each of the five spatial options identifies growth at Henley-in-Arden (albeit the level of housing requirement is not established, the indicative orange icon suggests between 1,000 – 4,000 dwellings in each spatial growth option). In a time where we are seeking to encourage more sustainable movement patterns and reduce carbon emissions as much as possible, it seems reasonable to locate development in locations which can benefit from public transport. In our view, Option 1 (Rail Corridors) and Option 2 (Sustainable Travel) should be considered essential as they offer sustainable alternatives to car travel.

Appropriate strategy

Appropriate strategy

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Issue T1: 20-minute neighbourhoods The Issues and Options document considers that it is beneficial to maximise opportunities for people to meet their regular day-to-day needs near to where they live (and/or work), and to do this within a reasonable walking distance of their homes (and/or workplace). Connectivity to services is therefore key. Locations which are served by existing services or could provide additional services should be seen as an opportunity to maximise sustainable development. HIA Developments consider that the Local Plan should include a policy on the principles of the 20-minute neighbourhood for new development. Issue T2: Sustainable transport accessibility across South Warwickshire The Joint Local Plan should be seeking to maximise their existing transport links when locating growth. Utilising existing infrastructure and upgrading where necessary should be the priority when locating growth. HIA Developments consider that the focus should be on large towns that have links to sustainable transport options including rail services. The Joint Local Plan is seeking to be ambitious in terms of its action to tackle climate change, and in a time where we are seeking to encourage more sustainable movement patterns and reduce carbon emissions as much as possible, it seems reasonable to locate development in locations which can benefit from public transport. Promoting all forms of sustainable transport should be the strategic focus of the SWLP. HIA Developments consider that the SWLP should include a policy which takes a hierarchical approach in terms of prioritising transport infrastructure. Moreover, the hierarchy should seek to prioritise the utilisation of rail services as a means of reducing private car travel for trips.

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CONCLUSIONS The Issues and Options document confirms that “The South Warwickshire Local Plan will seek to maximise the capacity of its existing urban areas in order to meet our development needs to 2050”. The SWLP has considered potential growth of their existing settlements. The Landform Analysis shows that there are limited directions for growth in Henley-in-Arden. The Landform Analysis suggests that west of Henley-in-Arden and north of Henley-in-Arden are the only locations which are landform constraint free. The Connectivity Analysis grades land to the west of Henley-in-Arden (identified as 1D) as D (on a scale of A-E. HIA Developments consider that the connectivity analysis has failed to properly assess the existence of an important footpath underneath the railway (via an underpass) which has the potential to provide additional walking and cycling connectivity to land to the west of Henley-in-Arden. This potential has been missed in the analysis. As a consequence, the results of the Connectivity Analysis are flawed. The Local Facilities Review shows that west of Henley-in-Arden is well connected in terms of facilities. The review confirms that within 800m there is access to Retail, economy, employment, places to meet, open space and leisure, health care and education. This ranks equal first in comparison with the other directions for growth. A large area of Stratford and Warwick is designated as Green Belt. The Issues and Options document states acknowledges that “the location and spread of the Green Belt in South Warwickshire may mean that limiting growth to locations outside of the existing Green Belt designation may not be the most sustainable or climate friendly option as it pushes development away from areas that are well connected with good infrastructure and better access to facilities and services towards areas with more limited infrastructure and where further travel would be necessitated.” HIA Developments LLP considers that a Green Belt review is necessary. HIA Developments consider that the South Warwickshire Plan should consider growth opportunities in the Green Belt where they would offer sustainable development (for example railway connections) and agree with the Issues and Options document that locations outside of the existing Green Belt designation may not be the most sustainable or climate friendly option. In a time where we are seeking to encourage more sustainable movement patterns and reduce carbon emissions as much as possible, it seems reasonable to locate development in locations which can benefit from public transport. The Scoping and Call for Sites document proposed seven initial options for growth. These have been refined to five options. Each of the five spatial options identifies growth at Henley-inArden. HIA Developments are promoting land to the West of Henley-in-Arden. The site can accommodate a development for approximately 110 dwellings. Land to the west of Henley-in-Arden is considered a sustainable site for residential development, given the reasons discussed above.