4.48

The plan must include policies that add an additional layer of protection to important areas, confirming that open countryside and land outside settlement boundaries (particularly that identified as playing an additional function) does not carry with it a presumption in favour of any development; the new local plan being applied as a whole.

The definition of land as Countryside or land located beyond the settlement edge or boundary, while offering a level of protection, is an insufficient policy constraint to speculative housing justified only by local housing demand. The plan must include policies that add an additional layer of protection to important areas, confirming that open countryside and land outside settlement boundaries (particularly that identified as playing an additional function such as gap or coalescence avoidance) does not carry with it a presumption in favour of any development; the new local plan being applied as a whole.

The fact settlement boundaries have been reviewed through this local plan and further encouraged through the Site Alocation DPD and Neighbourhood Plans is supported.

WGPC supports this approach. The WG Settlement Boundary will be defined through the NP review process.