Comment
Strategic Growth Options
Representation ID: 6687
Received: 05/02/2015
Respondent: Mr Martin Brown
Agent: Collins Coward
There is a need to ensure that Villages are fully sustainable and therefore infrastructure needs to be provided in appropriate locations to support this objective. This will ensure that short term housing needs can be met in Villages as natural growth rather than long term large scale development.
We refer to the above consultation and respond on behalf of our client, Mr M Brown, of Jericho Priory, Church Street, Blackmore as follows:
Consultation Questions
Q1: Do you agree with the three broad areas, for the purpose of considering approaches to growth?
Response: Yes, but with greater emphasis on expansion of villages, such as Blackmore to ensure they are fully sustainable.
Q2: Do you agree with the issues raised for each of these three areas?
Response: In respect of any land releases this should follow a sequential test, with urban areas first then Green Belt land in or on the edge of the Village before any major Green Belt releases.
Q3: Do you have any comments on the appropriateness of particular sites?
Response: Mr Brown has land within the Village of Blackmore (see attached plan) which has an area suitable for small scale residential development (0.167 hectares). This site is promoted for sustainable housing and has road access and a footpath link direct into the heart of the village. The land reads as part of the village and adjoins other housing.
Q4: Given the greater capacity for growth along the A127 Corridor, which of the sites put forward do you think is the best location for growth?
Response: No response
Q5: Should the A12 Corridor accommodate growth by releasing sites on the edge of urban areas?
Response: No response
Q6: In order to provide for local need is it preferable for green field sites on the edge of villages to be released, or to develop brownfield sites (both within Green Belt)?
Response: Yes, as villages are tightly constrained by village development boundaries to achieve a balance of sustainable development it will be necessary to have both brownfield and greenfield releases of land within the Green Belt.
Q7: To enable future employment need to be met do you agree that the most sustainable approach is to allocate new sites close to the strategic highway network?
Response: No response
Q8: In order to ensure that the Town Centre remains economically sustainable, do you agree that a "Town Centre First" approach should be taken to retail development?
Response: No response
Q9: Are there opportunities for more open space provision in the area where you live?
Response: No response
Q10: Please rate the level to which you value the landscape near where you live. (See Page 29)
Response: No response
Q11: To what extent do you think the following is present in the landscape near where you live: Houses; Commercial buildings; Nature Reserves; Farmland; Woodland; Wasteland; Infrastructure; Leisure Facilities; other? (See Page 29)
Response: No response
Q12: Have we considered the main infrastructure issues? Are there other important issues to consider?
Response: No response
Q13: What do you think the priorities for infrastructure spending should be?
Response: There is a need to ensure that Villages are fully sustainable and therefore infrastructure needs to be provided in appropriate locations to support this objective. This will ensure that short term housing needs can be met in Villages as natural growth rather than long term large scale development.
We trust this will assist the Council in the preparation of its Local Plan. Should you have any queries or questions please contact Tony Collins at this office.