Hingham Town Council supports the policy with regard to Sustainable Communities, but again question it’s deliverability, with specific reference to Hingham. It is disappointing that the GNLP housing development site assessment has concluded that a Preferred option – GNLP0520 is contrary to this policy on several counts. The development would not be able to provide safe and convenient access to existing facilities in the town (ref policy 2.1) , it would not respect, protect and enhance the landscape character (ref policy 2.5) and would unlikely to be able to manage travel (ref policy 2.6) demand due to Hingham’s limited public transport. The preferred option site GNLP0520 certainly would not “minimise flood risk or reduce the cause and impacts of flooding” (ref policy 2.8).
Whilst the policy theory for Sustainable Communities on paper is very desirable, HOW is this going to be achieved when preferred sites for housing development are allocated that are contrary to this policy.
The GNLP team and Planning Authorities thereafter should actively seek information from residents affected by or potentially affected by flooding in the vicinity of a proposed site allocation or development, rather than accepting the submittance from the developers that flooding has been / can be mitigated.

With reference to policy point 2 i (page 62) “ ….using a recognised community engagement process will be encouraged on larger sites……..200 dwellings” this is not far reaching enough. Community engagement should be mandatory for any development that would have a significant impact on a community – for example – with specific reference to Hingham – a development of 80 houses would have a significant impact on the town, in terms of integrating into the community, burden on local facilities such as Drs surgery and school and associated parking issues, as well as the visual and character impact a development would have on a small historic town such as Hingham.