Comment

Draft Interim Policy Statement for Housing Development

Representation ID: 3565

Received: 06/07/2020

Respondent: Dr Chris Hedley

Representation Summary:

Perhaps Section 6.2 could be expanded to include additional phrases to read:-

“….the artificial sub-division of larger land parcels OR INDIVIDUAL PLOTS will not be encouraged, NOR WILL ARTIFICIAL PROPOSALS TO CREATE MORE THAN ONE ACCOMMODATION BUILDING ON AN EXISTING PLOT”

Full text:

I realise that the policy is aimed primarily at large-scale development, but it has implications for individual builds as well. In that context, I can see a gap in the Policy document that might be exploited by the less-scrupulous.

My concern is ‘unwanted incremental development’, by which I mean:-
1. The creation of two or more new housing plots by artificial sub-division of an existing single plot, or
2. The addition of new additional housing on an existing plot (such that there are two sets of accommodation thereafter)

For both categories there will always be legitimate and sensible use of land, but there can often be speculative or inconsiderate development. There needs to be a clear statement as to what is, and what is not, expected. In particular, it is important that there is not a presumption of support for such developments because of lack of clarity.

To a certain extent, the last sentence of sub-section 4 of section 6.2, addresses category 1 – as long as it’s clear that it applies to smaller single plots as well as larger development land parcels.

Category 2 is different and it could involve either:-
(a) converting an existing outbuilding into new accommodation, or
(b) obtaining planning permission for a new outbuilding (e.g. garage, store room, boat store, workshop), but then applying for a change of use order to enable it to be used as accommodation. (This a practice which seems much more prevalent these days!)

This could lead to over-development of the site, with the additional risk that the plot could be sub-divided and both parcels sold off separately.

I’m not an expert on appropriate wording for these documents, but perhaps Section 6.2 could be expanded to include additional phrases (both in upper case) to read:-

“….the artificial sub-division of larger land parcels OR INDIVIDUAL PLOTS will not be encouraged, NOR WILL ARTIFICIAL PROPOSALS TO CREATE MORE THAN ONE ACCOMMODATION BUILDING ON AN EXISTING PLOT”