brentwood.gov.uk

Object

Representation ID: 3400

Received: 02/10/2013

Respondent: Croudace Strategic Ltd

Agent: Barton Willmore

Policy S1 requires that all development sites are to be identified in accordance with the selection criteria. Policy S1 also states that other than the strategic allocation at West Horndon and minor changes to accommodate proposed development on existing developed sites in the Green Belt, no change to Green Belt boundaries is envisaged. We disagree with this approach for a number of reasons:
1. The Council's preferred option appears to be a combination of Alternative Options 1 and 2. A large proportion of new development is expected to take place in Brentwood, but there are limits as to how much development the town could accommodate. It is therefore necessary to consider more than one strategic location for development. Alternative Option 2 puts forward transport led growth, with development at settlements with a rail station (i.e. Brentwood, Shenfield, Ingatestone and West Horndon). The Local Plan states that growth is planned for all places with a rail station, apart from Ingatestone which is excluded due to infrastructure constraints and a lack of suitable sites.
2. We are perplexed by the absence of any strategic sites being put forward at Shenfield. We are equally bemused by the decision to include West Horndon as a strategic location. Whereas Brentwood and Shenfield are sustainable locations for growth, given their excellent transport links, access to jobs and services and town centre facilities. West Horndon conversely requires "significant improvements to infrastructure and services" (para 2.4 of the Local Plan).
3. In terms of the settlement hierarchy set out in the background to Policy S1, Brentwood and Shenfield fall within Settlement Category 1 Main Town and are recognised as offering "the most scope to develop in accordance with sustainable development principles" (para 2.13 of the Local Plan). West Horndon by contrast falls within Settlement Category 3 Larger Villages. Whilst development on existing previously developed sites/redundant industrial land in West Horndon could be delivered in the short term, the infrastructure constraints associated with this village cannot support extensive sustainable development and we are not convinced that the necessary substantial infrastructure improvements will come forward during the Plan period.