Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan

Object

Representation ID: 2391

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Vistry Group

Agent: Boyer Planning

Land West of Grantham – SKPR-101
The opportunity to develop this site is achievable in the early part of the plan period and the land is already available. A new village in this location will not only deliver much needed homes, but provide new community facilities, recreation spaces and transport improvements, with the focus firmly on low carbon travel and an actively lifestyle. It is therefore proposed that South Kesteven District Council considers allocating this deliverable and exemplar site in the SKDC Local Plan to assist in bringing forward this new community.

Object

Representation ID: 2392

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Vistry Group

Agent: Boyer Planning

We are broadly supportive of the approach to propose development across the District in locations which are suitable and sustainable but also provide a variety of opportunities and site sizes across the plan area.

We are also pleased to see that Policy SP1 identifies the role of Grantham and its surrounds as a Sub-Regional Centre supported by three market towns and larger villages as all being capable of supporting growth and development over the plan period to meet the identified needs.

However, it is considered that it would be beneficial and positive to identify additional strategic growth on Land West of Grantham as part of the spatial strategy, in order to provide greater certainty on delivery over the Plan period and into the next Plan period.

Vistry consider that the Plan should also make provision for the longer term, as required by the NPPF, to ensure that the difficulties currently being faced in relation to delivery of housing, both market and much needed affordable, on Grantham’s strategic sites can be addressed. This can be achieved through the allocation of an additional site to the West of Grantham for the creation of a new village community

Support

Representation ID: 2393

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Vistry Group

Agent: Boyer Planning

Policy SP2 emphasises the majority of development will be focused in Grantham in order to support and strengthen its role as a Sub-Regional Centre. The policy goes on to confirm that ‘new development proposals will be supported on appropriate and deliverable brownfield sites and on sustainable greenfield sites (including urban extensions), where development will not compromise the town’s nature and character.’ This approach within the settlement hierarchy is welcomed and we consider that the strategy could be further strengthened through the allocation of Land West of Grantham for a new village which complements the existing town and planned growth.

Object

Representation ID: 2394

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Vistry Group

Agent: Boyer Planning

In general, these criteria are considered appropriate, however, it is important for the Council to acknowledge the efforts made by developers in their community engagement.
It is also considered that development adjacent to an existing allocation should satisfy the criteria, rather than requiring it to have been fully developed out. One development may be held up for a variety of reasons and this should not hold up other sites coming forward. The Council could re-visit the wording of this policy to ensure it can be met and does not hold up development from coming forward on suitable sites, particularly ones where valuable infrastructure and facilities can be delivered alongside homes for the benefit of existing residents.

Support

Representation ID: 2395

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Vistry Group

Agent: Boyer Planning

The need for a policy to protect best and most versatile agricultural land in order to protect opportunities for food production and the continuance of the agricultural economy is acknowledged. The criteria for development affecting the best and most versatile agricultural land are considered appropriate and the policy is therefore supported.

Object

Representation ID: 2396

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Vistry Group

Agent: Boyer Planning

It is welcomed that the Council has used the Government’s Standard Method in calculating the need for housing to derive the housing requirement for the period 2021 to 2041.

It is considered that in relation to strategic scale growth around Grantham, the Council could make provision for the longer term by allocating an additional strategic site to ensure consistency and confidence in supply beyond the current Plan period, in line with the NPPF. Such an approach will help ameliorate the issues that have arisen in relation to the delays in housing delivery around Grantham during the current Plan period.

Object

Representation ID: 2397

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Vistry Group

Agent: Boyer Planning

We support a Plan period extension by at least two years to take into consideration possible delays in the preparation of the emerging Plan. This extension would result in an additional 1,402 homes and a
significant portion should be provided in Grantham as the key settlement of the district. The Land West of Grantham is available to come forward within the Plan period to provide these much-needed homes and associated facilities.

Object

Representation ID: 2398

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Vistry Group

Agent: Boyer Planning

We are concerned that Policy H2 does not accurately reflect the evidence that has been prepared within the Viability Assessment. It is unclear how the standards included within the policy, such as “make provision for 27-57%” have been reached when the viability evidence has tested 30% provision predominately but also tested a range from 0% to 40% as set out in Appendix 16.

It is also unclear as to how the Council has identified the range (27-57%) in the first part of the policy but then have fixed requirements in relation to the mix of affordable housing provided on site.

As currently presented, the policy does not provide the clarity and certainty that is required of a fundamental planning policy which is linked to the overall aims and objectives of the Council’s plan.

Consider that the Council could explore the further growth potential of the District in order to determine the extent to which the Plan could reasonably allocate additional sites for residential-led development, to provide for the delivery of a greater amount of affordable housing that can be viably be delivered, to meet the needs of the District.

Support

Representation ID: 2399

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Vistry Group

Agent: Boyer Planning

We are generally supportive of the need for an appropriate mix of housing to secure mixed and balanced communities to meet the needs of older and disabled people. However, if the Council wishes to adopt higher optional standards for accessible, adaptable and wheelchair homes they should only do so where this would address an identified need for such properties as set out in the NPPF.

Support

Representation ID: 2400

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Vistry Group

Agent: Boyer Planning

We are generally supportive of the need for an appropriate mix of housing to secure mixed and balanced communities to meet the needs of older and disabled people. However, if the Council wishes to adopt higher optional standards for accessible, adaptable and wheelchair homes they should only do so where this would address an identified need for such properties as set out in the NPPF.