brentwood.gov.uk

Object

Representation ID: 1089

Received: 30/09/2013

Respondent: Zada Capital

Agent: Zada Capital

Within Policy S2, The Council recognizes the need for 3500 new dwellings to be built in the Borough during the plan period 2015-2030. The Council conducted their own OAN Study in 2013, which concluded that a higher figure of 5,430 new dwellings were needed, over the plan period. The East Of England Plan was due to run until 2021, before being abolished, identified that Brentwood required 3,600 new homes. In effect the Council is suggesting 100 fewer homes are built in a period that stretches 9 years beyond the East of England Plan. The council accepts that a higher level of demand for housing from people seeking to move into the area. Around 80% of projected household growth will be from people moving into the area. It is healthy for people wanting to move into the area and will benefit local businesses. The council have decided in the Preferred Options that the earlier figure, of 3,500 fits in with their aims and have therefore ignored the most up-to-date study commissioned by the Council that confirms more housing is needed in the borough over the plan period.
One of the major reasons the Council gives for limiting housing in the Borough is because of its effect on the GB. As much of the borough lies in the gb, the Council is basically saying there will be no further development in the borough, unless the name of the village is west horndon and where the gb is expendable. The whole of Policy S2 needs relooking at to enable flexibility and to allow small scale development within the gb at sustainable locations. The Borough needs to grow and adapt not just west horndon. Housing needs to reflect the OAN for the borough and not the councils preconceived requirements. The Council in its enthusiasm to safeguard the gb above all else, have overlooked locations such as Brentwood and Shenfield, where people do want to live given their sustainable locations and instead directed development to West Horndon.