brentwood.gov.uk

Comment

Representation ID: 5126

Received: 17/02/2015

Respondent: Mr Colin Foan

I support the principles set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for the protection of the Green Belt to prevent urban creep and I strongly oppose inappropriate development in the green belt except in exceptional circumstances where the benefits clearly outweigh the harm. I also support the view that housing need alone does not constitute exceptional benefit.
However, I acknowledge the challenge that the Strategic Housing Allocation numbers present to Brentwood Borough Council. I also recognise that without clear locations for the necessary houses identified by the Strategic Housing Allocation, Brentwood Borough Council will be highly unlikely to have a robust Local Development Plan approved. This presents the risk of aggressive speculative developers attempting to obtain planning approval anywhere in the borough and that the appeals system could result in inappropriate and poorly coordinated development taking place.
Thus, in the unfortunate circumstance where Green Belt does have to be sacrificed in order to meet the statutory obligations of the Strategic Housing Allocation it is essential that only the minimum amount of Green Belt land is lost and that this is done in locations and in such a way that harm and urban creep is kept to an absolute minimum. My responses to all the questions in the consultation must be viewed in the light of the above comments.