Object
Chichester Local Plan 2021 - 2039: Proposed Submission
Representation ID: 3926
Received: 08/03/2023
Respondent: Loxwood (Mellow) Ltd
Agent: Ms Megan Smith
Legally compliant? No
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? No
It is acknowledged that Loxwood is marked with an ‘*’ outlining that a strategic location has been identified via a neighbourhood plan within Policy H2.
This is discussed in greater detail under Policy H2 representations, however, we consider the approach of housing allocation and defining settlement boundaries via neighbourhood plans and parish allocations to be ‘ineffective’ and ‘unjustified’.
In relation to Loxwood for example, the settlement boundary as defined by the Neighbourhood Plan is not representative of the current village and its settlement, or suitably reflective of the levels of housing growth and allocations required. The current settlement boundary fails to include the Land South West of Willetts Way which was found in the Housing Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) to be suitable, available and achievable for up to 10 units (HLX0006). The site is clearly sustainable, being close to the village centre, and associated services but was excluded for unjustified reasons through the previous Neighbourhood Plan process.
The Draft Local Plan cannot be ‘positively prepared’ when suitable, available and achievable sites are left fragmented and overlooked by Parish Councils creating piecemeal plots outside of the settlement boundary for unjustified reasons, while the Neighbourhood Plan process is subject to lesser scrutiny (having only to meet basic conditions) than local plans.
Whilst it is agreed that Loxwood should be subject to non-strategic housing allocations, we cannot support this Policy H3, based on its reliance on Policy H2 and neighbourhood plan allocations.
In order for the Draft Local Plan to be ‘justified’ and ‘effective’ in delivering housing through small scale sites, the Local Plan should allocate sites at a District Level, and not delegate to Neighbourhood Plans.
It is acknowledged that Loxwood is marked with an ‘*’ outlining that a strategic location has been identified via a neighbourhood plan within Policy H2.
This is discussed in greater detail under Policy H2 representations, however, we consider the approach of housing allocation and defining settlement boundaries via neighbourhood plans and parish allocations to be ‘ineffective’ and ‘unjustified’.
In relation to Loxwood for example, the settlement boundary as defined by the Neighbourhood Plan is not representative of the current village and its settlement, or suitably reflective of the levels of housing growth and allocations required. The current settlement boundary fails to include the Land South West of Willetts Way which was found in the Housing Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) to be suitable, available and achievable for up to 10 units (HLX0006). The site is clearly sustainable, being close to the village centre, and associated services but was excluded for unjustified reasons through the previous Neighbourhood Plan process.
The Draft Local Plan cannot be ‘positively prepared’ when suitable, available and achievable sites are left fragmented and overlooked by Parish Councils creating piecemeal plots outside of the settlement boundary for unjustified reasons, while the Neighbourhood Plan process is subject to lesser scrutiny (having only to meet basic conditions) than local plans.
Whilst it is agreed that Loxwood should be subject to non-strategic housing allocations, we cannot support this Policy H3, based on its reliance on Policy H2 and neighbourhood plan allocations.
In order for the Draft Local Plan to be ‘justified’ and ‘effective’ in delivering housing through small scale sites, the Local Plan should allocate sites at a District Level, and not delegate to Neighbourhood Plans.