return indicative dwelling yield to previous figure

1.0 Our response to the Focused Changes
1.1 This representation has been prepared on behalf of Constable Homes Limited, an operating subsidiary of the Anderson Group, in support of its land interest in the Site north of Woollard Way, Blackmore. The Site is a proposed residential allocation under draft Policy R25 of Brentwood Borough Council's emerging Local Plan.
1.2 These representations follow responses by Bidwells on behalf of Constable Homes Limited in respect of the same site through previous rounds of the emerging Brentwood Local Plan.
Focused Change 4 - Policy R25: Land off Woollard Way, Blackmore
1.3 We object to Focused Change 4; Policy R25: Land North of Woollard Way, Blackmore, which proposes to amend the amount of development from "around 40" new homes to "around 30" new homes.
1.4 The Introduction section of the consultation document identifies that draft Policies R25 and R26 were subject to a "considerable number of representations" in response to the Pre-Submission Local Plan. A summary of the key concerns raised in the consultation is provided and includes the following reasons for the proposed Focused Change:

● Inconsistency with the character of the local area in regard to density;
● Impact on local services and infrastructure;
● Disagreement with the settlement hierarchy;
● Development in Green Belt;
● Highway access;
● Environmental and habitat impact; and
● Flooding.

1.5 The approach to reducing the number of dwellings allocated in Blackmore, including the draft Policy R25 site, does not appear to be based on sound or proportionate evidence, and is simply a response to the quantum of representations submitted to the previous iteration of the Local Plan. It is a long-established planning principle that the number of representations received in respect of a particular topic is not in itself a material consideration. The evidence prepared by Constable Homes and Brentwood Borough Council, through previous rounds of Local Plan consultation, demonstrates that the previous amount of development earmarked for the site [around 40 new homes] is entirely appropriate.
1.6 Bidwells, on behalf of Constable Homes, is currently taking a scheme proposal through the formal pre-application process, the latest design of which demonstrates to the Council (and future Local Plan Inspector) that there are no insurmountable or limiting planning issues, including those referenced in the consultation document above, to the delivery of a development of the site for approximately 40 new homes in a policy-compliant manner. In the interest of transparency, our client's emerging masterplan for site R25 accompanies these representations at Appendix 1, which has been shared with key local interest groups.
1.7 This plan is the culmination of many months' of work and dialogue with those members of Blackmore's community willing to engage with our client, and its design team has reflected every constructive request proffered to residents, including:
● An access off Nine Ashes Road instead of Redrose Lane (which also has agreement from ECC);
● A generous lattice of green spaces, including a new village green area abutting existing dwellings at Woollard Way;
● No vehicular access through either limb of Woollard Way;
● Retention of historic hedgerows;
● An integrative mix of market and affordable homes;
● Multiple pedestrian linkages to encourage resident to walk to village core (e.g. the tea rooms and Co-op convenience store);
● A new pedestrian crossing to link with the Primary School and Village Hall;
● Speed reduction measures to create a safer and more attractive northern approach to the village; and,
● Traditional-style architecture.
1.8 We therefore object to Focused Change 4 because it is unduly restrictive and would fail to optimise the beneficial use of the Policy R25 site, contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework.

return indicative housing yield to previous figure

1.0 Our response to the Focused Changes
1.1 This representation has been prepared on behalf of Constable Homes Limited, an operating subsidiary of the Anderson Group, in support of its land interest in the Site north of Woollard Way, Blackmore. The Site is a proposed residential allocation under draft Policy R25 of Brentwood Borough Council's emerging Local Plan.
1.2 These representations follow responses by Bidwells on behalf of Constable Homes Limited in respect of the same site through previous rounds of the emerging Brentwood Local Plan.
Focused Change 4 - Policy R25: Land off Woollard Way, Blackmore
1.3 We object to Focused Change 4; Policy R25: Land North of Woollard Way, Blackmore, which proposes to amend the amount of development from "around 40" new homes to "around 30" new homes.
1.4 The Introduction section of the consultation document identifies that draft Policies R25 and R26 were subject to a "considerable number of representations" in response to the Pre-Submission Local Plan. A summary of the key concerns raised in the consultation is provided and includes the following reasons for the proposed Focused Change:

● Inconsistency with the character of the local area in regard to density;
● Impact on local services and infrastructure;
● Disagreement with the settlement hierarchy;
● Development in Green Belt;
● Highway access;
● Environmental and habitat impact; and
● Flooding.

1.5 The approach to reducing the number of dwellings allocated in Blackmore, including the draft Policy R25 site, does not appear to be based on sound or proportionate evidence, and is simply a response to the quantum of representations submitted to the previous iteration of the Local Plan. It is a long-established planning principle that the number of representations received in respect of a particular topic is not in itself a material consideration. The evidence prepared by Constable Homes and Brentwood Borough Council, through previous rounds of Local Plan consultation, demonstrates that the previous amount of development earmarked for the site [around 40 new homes] is entirely appropriate.
1.6 Bidwells, on behalf of Constable Homes, is currently taking a scheme proposal through the formal pre-application process, the latest design of which demonstrates to the Council (and future Local Plan Inspector) that there are no insurmountable or limiting planning issues, including those referenced in the consultation document above, to the delivery of a development of the site for approximately 40 new homes in a policy-compliant manner. In the interest of transparency, our client's emerging masterplan for site R25 accompanies these representations at Appendix 1, which has been shared with key local interest groups.
1.7 This plan is the culmination of many months' of work and dialogue with those members of Blackmore's community willing to engage with our client, and its design team has reflected every constructive request proffered to residents, including:
● An access off Nine Ashes Road instead of Redrose Lane (which also has agreement from ECC);
● A generous lattice of green spaces, including a new village green area abutting existing dwellings at Woollard Way;
● No vehicular access through either limb of Woollard Way;
● Retention of historic hedgerows;
● An integrative mix of market and affordable homes;
● Multiple pedestrian linkages to encourage resident to walk to village core (e.g. the tea rooms and Co-op convenience store);
● A new pedestrian crossing to link with the Primary School and Village Hall;
● Speed reduction measures to create a safer and more attractive northern approach to the village; and,
● Traditional-style architecture.
1.8 We therefore object to Focused Change 4 because it is unduly restrictive and would fail to optimise the beneficial use of the Policy R25 site, contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework.