Comment
Draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 13917
Received: 06/04/2016
Respondent: Mr Ian Blackburn
The policy on density perhaps needs to be elaborated upon more specific and revised upwards to make efficient use of land. The use of 'special character of the surrounding area' and 'other site constraints' and the way the densities are specified in the policy are very broad.
The policy would be more robust if it went some way in defining general expectations and in refining designations where an exception may apply. Such exceptions could be based generally on site location relative to conservation areas, defined edges of the community, green spaces, surrounding densities etc.
The greater of one and half times surrounding densities and
Villages generally 35 dwellings/hectare net
Suburban generally 40 dwellings /hectare net
Urban areas generally 50 dwellings /hectare net
With centres of these being 1.5 time these densities.
For example a recent small development of flats in Station Road at West Horndon yields a density of 80 dwellings/hectare net. Whilst such small sites can yield disproportionately high densities it does demonstrate how density within even rural settings can be accommodated.
See attached.