The Council supports the main messages as drafted; however, it has some concerns about the implications of ‘enhancement’ of local services and facilities.

Enhancement is normally required to enable existing modest services and facilities – which support local need only - to cope with greater numbers of people. As drafted, this part of the Plan offers the potential for confusing and conflicting decision making.

If the primary emphasis in the North of the Plan Area is to maintain “the rural character of the existing villages, whilst enabling the local communities to become more self-reliant in meeting their local needs…” then tighter drafting is required to ensure that all development in the area is driven by evidenced existing local need – rather than a potential ‘local need’ once development has been delivered.