Object

Representation ID: 22808

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Peter Rudd

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group

the policy imposes a blanket requirement of at least 5% self/custom build plots on residential proposals of 40 dwellings or more. Such an approach does not appear to be supported by any evidence to demonstrate that there is a need for such a scale of provision and does not allow for the specifics of an individual site to be considered (e.g. is it a suitable site, does it impact on viability?). It is wrong to assume that those in search of self/custom build plots wish to be located within a wider site for housing.

Furthermore, the policy allows for the requirement to be avoided if the developer can prove that there is not a need for it. That is entirely the wrong way road – the policy requirement must be justified in the first place and the relevant Local Planning Authorities are responsible for holding a register of those searching for such plots. Such registers need to be regularly updated and cross referenced with neighbouring registers to eliminate double counting. This is not the responsibility of an individual developer and so it is wrong to identify this as a reason to overcome the policy requirement.

We suggest that the policy be amended to encourage the provision of such plots rather than require them and cross-refer to a policy intention to monitor the supply of such plots against demand with associated future policy amendments should this be required. Instead, we consider that the delivery of self/custom build plots would be more appropriate as a requirement for windfall sites under policy 7.5.