Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 15903

Received: 01/09/2025

Respondent: Central & Country Developments Ltd

Agent: HK Planning

I&O_16462
Again, we would reiterate, Developer contributions sought should not make new development unviable, and should be: necessary, directly related, and fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind in accordance with the NPPF. As the Local Plan progresses, and a complete picture of contributions likely to be sought for new developments becomes clear, there should be a test of viability to ensure any contributions set out in policy will not render new development in the plan period to be unviable.

Comment

Representation ID: 15905

Received: 01/09/2025

Respondent: Central & Country Developments Ltd

Agent: HK Planning

I&O_16464
It is unclear if the Council can show failure by developers that suitable market schemes have not delivered required housing mixes suitable for the housing needs of the Borough during this current plan period. If policies are proposed relating to house type mix for the emerging plan period these should well evidenced and be flexible as every site invariably has different factors to consider when bringing it forward, including the local context, housing market, and housing need, which can vary across the Borough. Clearly any policy would need to be regularly reviewed as needs inevitably change too. Also, significant flexibility should be given on smaller sites in order not to restrict SMEs bringing forward sites. Therefore housing mix policies should only apply to large scale sites.

Comment

Representation ID: 15907

Received: 01/09/2025

Respondent: Central & Country Developments Ltd

Agent: HK Planning

I&O_16466
If policies are proposed on Housing mix for the plan period these should be regularly reviewed, as needs change over time. Also significant flexibility should be given on smaller sites in order not to restrict SME’s bring forward sites. Therefore housing mix policies should only apply to large scale sites, i.e. policies should only apply to sites of 100 no. plus unts to allow SMEs flexibility.

Comment

Representation ID: 15908

Received: 01/09/2025

Respondent: Central & Country Developments Ltd

Agent: HK Planning

I&O_16467
Provisions should be included to consider the viability of the level of contributions sought, once established at the next stage of the Local Plan. Affordable Housing percentages should reflect National Guidance and the Rural trigger level is considered too low and will likely lead to lower level of housing being delivered in the Rural area Plan period. The Council would need to show this is not the case.

Comment

Representation ID: 15910

Received: 01/09/2025

Respondent: Central & Country Developments Ltd

Agent: HK Planning

I&O_16469
Affordable Housing percentages should reflect National Guidance and the Rural trigger level is considered to low and will likely lead to lower level of housing being delivered in the Rural area Plan period. The Council would need to show this is not the case if they want to have different thresholds, and that there is evidence to justify this deviation from National Policy.

Comment

Representation ID: 15911

Received: 01/09/2025

Respondent: Central & Country Developments Ltd

Agent: HK Planning

I&O_16470
This should continue to apply to all smaller settlements, otherwise the Policy could be too limiting.

Comment

Representation ID: 15912

Received: 01/09/2025

Respondent: Central & Country Developments Ltd

Agent: HK Planning

I&O_16471
If required to make the affordable housing viable then market housing should be allowed. This continued approach also aligns with the NPPF.