Q18: We have one comment on Policy 2 in respect of the preferred approach to sustainable communities. This relates to Item iii of the policy which sets out means of assisting the broad-based approach of the policy.
Item iii states that ‘delivery plans are required with planning applications for 100 dwellings plus ….’. It is far from clear what is meant by a ‘delivery plan’ and the requirement ignores the fact that planning applications are frequently promoted by individuals, landowners, institutions or promotional companies rather than housebuilders. Such applicants sell their land on to housebuilders following the granting of permission and therefore have no control over the timing or actual delivery of development. In addition, planning applications for sites of 100+ dwellings will generally take some time to be determined and will require S106 Agreements, so it is somewhat unrealistic to require detailed delivery plans (such as timetables) at the time of an application submission.