brentwood.gov.uk

Object

Representation ID: 1281

Received: 01/10/2013

Respondent: JB Planning Associates Ltd.

We are extremely concerned with the direction of the Local Plan. We believe the Council is failing to recognise the scale of housing needs in Brentwood. The plan fails to meet the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) with respect to meeting the full range of 'objectively assessed' housing needs and as a result, the Local Plan is unsound. The Plan is planning for a significant shortfall in homes over the 15 year period of the plan. With little information provided on how the needs of those residents will be met, we can only assume a future scenario of increased unaffordability, overcrowding, homelessness and pressure on neighbouring authorities to meet Brentwood's unmet housing needs. This approach is therefore inconsistent with the objective of the NPPF to promote sustainable development.Evidence produced by the Council demonstrates a need for 4,960-5,600 additional homes from 2015-2031. This would represent meeting the full range of housing needs. However, Policy S2 of the consultation draft proposes to deliver 3,500 additional homes during the same period. This represents an under-provision of approximately 1,500 homes. The reasons given for the preferred housing target are to resist pressure on existing services and infrastructure; to not worsen congestion in Brentwood Town Centre; and to protect the rural character of the Borough. According to the Council, Green Belt sites would need to be released to meet the shortfall which would risk 'irrevocably changing the rural character of the borough'. It is our opinion that the reasons given for setting a lower housing target than would meet the Borough's housing needs are insufficient and unsatisfactory.