Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 13478

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Harworth Group

Agent: Turley

I&O_13997
Harworth is supportive of the approach to providing a range and choice of homes to meet the needs of the local area, and agrees that the emerging Local Plan should encourage a mix of house types, sizes, and tenures to be delivered, helping to ensure choice for homebuyers. However, Harworth believes that any policy must be applied flexibly and not be overly prescriptive, in order to prevent housing delivery from being compromised or stalled. Policies of the emerging Local Plan should also make an allowance for changes in market demand. Any housing mix policy should also allow regard to be had to the scale of the site, not being rigidly prescriptive in the mix provided if this is not the most suitable approach allowing for site constraints and having regard to the potential impact of housing mix on viability. There should not be a need for the developer / applicant to provide significant amounts of additional evidence to justify the proposed housing mix.  Harworth notes that the Council suggest that if justified by evidence a new policy will be brought into require Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS). UK Government has made clear that the NDSS are intended to be optional and should only be introduced where there is a clear need for them and they retain development viability. The evidence required to justify NDSS policies is set out within Planning Practice Guidance, which includes evidencing need, viability, and timing.  If the Government expected all properties to be built to NDSS then it would have made these standards mandatory not optional.  Should CWAC progress a new policy requiring compliance with NDSS there is a need for appropriate and robust evidence to justify its inclusion.

Comment

Representation ID: 13481

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Harworth Group

Agent: Turley

I&O_14000
No. As per response to Question HO 2, any housing mix policy should not be overtly prescriptive. A percentage based policy approach is considered to be overly restrictive and would fail to allow for changes in market conditions and site specific considerations. Such an approach would not be positively prepared, justified, or effective.

Comment

Representation ID: 13482

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Harworth Group

Agent: Turley

I&O_14001
Harworth notes that the proposed policy suggests that affordable housing will be required on all sites of 10 or more dwellings but in designated rural areas it will be three or more dwellings. Harworth considers that it is appropriate for the Council to plan for the affordable needs of its community, and to ensure that it does this in line with the requirements in paragraph 35 and 64-66 of the NPPF. This should ensure that any affordable housing requirements are clearly set out, are evidenced as viable through a Viability Appraisal, and that flexibility is provided within the policy where viability may be an issue.

Comment

Representation ID: 13483

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Harworth Group

Agent: Turley

I&O_14002
Existing Local Plan (Part Two) Policy DM19 relates to proposals for residential development on land not allocated for development, including those within identified settlements, the countryside, and the Green Belt. This policy should be reviewed to ensure it aligns with the latest NPPF.

Comment

Representation ID: 13484

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Harworth Group

Agent: Turley

I&O_14003
Existing Local Plan (Part Two) Policy DM19 relates to proposals for residential development on land not allocated for development, including those within identified settlements, the countryside, and the Green Belt. This policy should be reviewed to ensure it aligns with the latest NPPF.