brentwood.gov.uk

Request for inclusion of a site for development in the Local Plan.
Tooks Farm, Great Warley Street, Great Warley, CM13 3JP.

Having reviewed the recent Housing Strategy and Local Plan documents, it is clear that the Council is facing a number of significant challenges in relation to the provision of hous-ing. Affordability is a key issue, along with an ageing population trend which is predicted to continue. The council is falling far below the number of new homes it is required to pro-vide each year, and the documents acknowledge that this situation will be exacerbated by the Voluntary Right to Buy policy and its subsequent effect both on housing stock and fi-nancial resources for the housing sector. The Council's own figures estimate a need for approximately 233 affordable homes being built per year, whereas in recent years the fig-ure has averaged 39.

The Council's stated aims include maximising the delivery of affordable housing, including access to a range of different housing options for all residents. In addition, 'sustainable communities' and 'community living' should be achieved by new housing provision. This is reinforced by Government policy which directs local authorities to foster local economies through the provision of affordable housing. The Housing Strategy document acknowl-edges that wider thinking and innovation are required, and that the situation is an oppor-tunity to present alternatives when considering potential areas for development.

There have been a number of Government reports (HAPPI/Lifetime Homes) focussed on the need for appropriate housing for older people, which also identify the benefits of such housing within a mixed-age community. Quality, accessible apartments are ideal for many groups, not just older people, and I have seen a number of case studies, both in this country and overseas, incorporating affordable mixed-age social housing. Single person households are the fastest growing demographic in the UK, across all age groups, includ-ing vulnerable groups such as women who have suffered domestic violence.

The recent 'Grand Designs' awards for schemes providing accommodation for older peo-ple showcased very innovative architectural designs produced on a very modest budg-et. The Council has already identified some of the benefits of more innovative housing, such as increased provision through higher density and the more economical use of space, plus environmental and energy saving gains.

This type of housing also allows space for communal areas, which brings many benefits such as reduced isolation and shared interests. It can provide space for hobbies or busi-ness ideas, such as a workshops or allotment areas, whilst at the same time allowing con-trol of the appearance and maintenance of the wider environment.

I am the owner of a small farm situated on the B186 in Great Warley. The yard, compris-ing a range of metal storage barns, stabling blocks and workshops, is now largely redun-dant, and as such presents an ideal location to develop some of the innovative housing ideas the Council is considering. I would like the yard to be considered as a preferred site for housing development, as I believe it presents both a unique opportunity at this location, and the possibility of developing a model that could be replicated in other places.

A study by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors put forward the idea of local au-thorities identifying 'amberfield' sites, as an effective way of providing housing develop-ment opportunities without encroaching on green spaces. This type of site already has basic services (water, electricty, transport links), unsightly dilapidated building which add nothing to the local environment, but do offer the possibility of innovative housing which can be developed in a relatively short time frame.

As an alternative to inclusion in the Local Plan, I would like the yard to be considered as a Windfall Site.

I would appreciate feed back on this matter and an opportunity to discuss further.

Kind regards