brentwood.gov.uk

Object

Representation ID: 809

Received: 02/10/2013

Respondent: Croudace Strategic Ltd

Agent: Barton Willmore

Para 2.20 of the Local Plan states that the Council has carried out a technical exercise to objectively assess development needs, and the preferred spatial strategy seeks to accommodate a 'significant proportion of this need'. Para 2.20 goes on to state that "due to significant capacity constraints, however, it is not possible to accommodate fully the scale of growth implied within the context of a coherent spatial strategy in accordance with sustainable development principles set out in the NPPF". By implication, BBC must be looking to neighbouring authorities to meet its unmet need through a 'Duty to Cooperate'. As matters stand it is unclear what the Council is actually doing in terms of "exploring options" with adjoining districts as there is no evidence available to demonstrate that BBC has effectively cooperated to plan for issues with cross-boundary impacts (NPPF Para 181). Given that neighbouring authorities are relying on housing to be delivered beyond their boundaries, it is unlikely that BBC's unmet housing needs will be able to be accommodated sustainably elsewhere. No definitive solution to the identified shortfall in future housing provision has been put forward.