Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan

Support

Representation ID: 1260

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Allison Homes

Agent: Boyer Planning

The Regulation 18 consultation document highlights in paragraph 2.1 that the plan period for the emerging Local Plan will run from 1st April 2021 through to 1st April 2041. It is positive to see that the Council are seeking to plan for the longer period and preparing a document which covers 20 years. We are however concerned that upon adoption the Council may feel to meet the minimum requirements as outlined in paragraph 22 of the NPPF (2023).

Paragraph 22 of the NPPF requires “strategic policies should look ahead over a minimum 15 year period from adoption” and in our view the emerging SKDC Local Plan will not meet this. In order to provide a minimum 15 year period from adoption the plan will need to be adopted by 31st March 2026 at the very latest in order to provide the required time period. However, as the Local Plan has already experienced delays, it is reasonable to assume that further delays in timescales will be encountered.

By taking a positive and proactive approach to delivering to the plan period, the Council is able to ensure that the plan is robust and credible with the opportunity to deliver more housing across South Kesteven to meet local needs. We encourage the Council to extend the plan period by at least another two years to a time horizon of 2043 which will allow for any further delays in plan making whilst still ensuring that the minimum time period can be achieved

Support

Representation ID: 1261

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Allison Homes

Agent: Boyer Planning

The Vision provided has been updated to reflect the Council’s commitment to fight climate change, and create a successful and strong economy, whilst building sustainable communities that provide a high quality of life. The suggested Vision is realistic in its ability to be delivered through the provision of high quality housing and creating a strong economy.

We are support of the overall Vision in increasing the importance of tackling Climate Change as well as creating sustainable, diverse, and safe communities across the district. To strengthen the Vision to further ensure it is considered as sound, the Plan period should be increased, and the Vision should be amended accordingly to account for the additional years of the plan period.

Support

Representation ID: 1262

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Allison Homes

Agent: Boyer Planning

We consider that Objective 9 should be amended to take into the consideration in the extension of the Plan period, and increased need for housing across the district. However, we are pleased to see that the Council have provided an approach and set Objectives which are largely pro-growth whilst requiring the provision of diverse and sustainable communities.

Support

Representation ID: 1263

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Allison Homes

Agent: Boyer Planning

Policy SP1 outlines that the Local Plan is to deliver sustainable growth across the District. We are broadly supportive of the approach to propose development across the District in locations which are suitable and sustainable. This approach will allow for greater certainty that the needs of the District can be met in a positive and robust manner.

Policy SP1 is clear that the Council is using the Standard Method for identifying housing need as the starting point which we support and are not aware of any justified and objective evidence which suggests a lower figure should be used.

Support

Representation ID: 1264

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Allison Homes

Agent: Boyer Planning

Appendix 2 of the Settlement Hierarchy Assessment provides the individual scoring of each settlement within the district, with the settlements with the higher scores being the most sustainable and suitable for growth.

Great Gonerby received a total score of 36, resulting in the settlement being the 16th highest score out the total 128 settlements which were assessed. The assessment of Great Gonerby correctly identifies the services and facilities that are present, such as the local shop, primary education, public house, village hall, and more. This assessment shows that Great Gonerby is sustainable location to accommodate growth in the district as it is a local centre which provides access for local residents needs without the need to travel further afar.

We agree with the overall methodology taken towards the large villages in South Kesteven, and the identification of Great Gonerby as a larger village in the district that is both suitable and sustainable for future growth.

Support

Representation ID: 1265

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Allison Homes

Agent: Boyer Planning

It is pleasing to see the Council have used the Government’s Standard Method in calculating the need for housing, in addition to the use of a 21% uplift, resulting in a total housing requirement of 16,975 dwellings. To meet this requirement, the Council propose to allocate an additional 2,901 dwellings across 23 sites. It is important that the Council are satisfied that all sites put forward are suitable, available and deliverable.

Support

Representation ID: 1266

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Allison Homes

Agent: Boyer Planning

We acknowledge the importance of providing affordable housing options on large sites as this ensures a range of accommodation to come forward across South Kesteven.

The policy as presented in the Regulation 18 document includes ranging percentage requirements which we understand will be refined as a result of the Whole Plan Viability Assessment. Alongside the Regulation 18 Local Plan, the Council have published a Whole Plan Viability Assessments prepared dated January 2024 which has been prepared by HDH Planning & Development Ltd and assumes a consistent 30% level of affordable housing for testing purposes along with a defined mix of tenure type. We are therefore unsure why the emerging policy has not reflected this evidence base at this stage.

Ahead of the Regulation 19 document, it will be essential that the Council provide clarity as to the level of affordable housing and the mix of tenures that are required to meet needs.

Support

Representation ID: 1268

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Allison Homes

Agent: Boyer Planning

The new policy includes specific criteria, and it is anticipated that these principles will be the basis for future decision.

Future development on this site will be able to provide necessary highway improvements to Church Lane in addition to providing connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists from the site to the centre of the settlement and surround public footpath network.

Land off Church Lane, Great Gonerby is capable of delivering sustainable development and Allison Homes are committed to bringing this site forward in a timely manner. There are no constraints or issues that would impact on the deliverability or suitability of the site.

Great Gonerby is a suitable location for growth and the allocation of sustainable housing growth within the settlement is supported.

Support

Representation ID: 1269

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Allison Homes

Agent: Boyer Planning

Through the development of this site, there is the opportunity to create a well-connected development with the existing settlement of Thurlby. Additionally, there will be the opportunity to improve the access and Obthorpe Lane through criteria b of the new policy.

The site identified in Thurlby is capable of delivering sustainable development and Allison Homes are committed to bringing this site forward in a timely manner. The emerging allocation provides confidence that Thurlby is suitable for additional growth over the plan period

Within these representations, we have been able to show that Thurlby and Northorpe is a sustainable location for growth, with this site being a suitable option which is deliverable and readily available for residential development, which can provide benefits for both current and future residents.

Object

Representation ID: 2210

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: Allison Homes

Agent: Boyer Planning

Although we are broadly supportive of the approach set out in Policy SD1, we would suggest that any further revisions to the policy provide greater clarity as to the expectations of how development proposals are to meet criteria within the policy. At the moment, it is unclear as to whether these requirements have to be met by development proposals and the relationship between them.