Policy HC6: Rural Exception Sites

Object

Representation ID: 4752

Received: 22/12/2022

Respondent: Tetlow King Planning

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

In its current form part b) of Policy H6 offers no flexibility in how applicants can demonstrate and justify the need for a rural exception site. The PPG is clear that the use of a housing needs survey is not the sole means of identifying local needs. The Council should take a more flexible approach by allowing applicants to justify local needs using other forms of "appropriate evidence" such as the housing register and government data returns.

The viability of rural exception sites will differ on a site by site basis, as such setting a limit on market homes which can be delivered on such sites without demonstrating 'proportionate evidence' will likely limit the number of affordable homes delivered.

Object

Representation ID: 5089

Received: 19/12/2022

Respondent: Barberry

Agent: RCA Regeneration

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Given that Rural Exception Sites are delivered on the basis of local need, this policy assumes that sites can only be small, which runs contrary to the NPPF which does not stipulate such sites should be small. We therefore do not consider that this is consistent with national policy.

Support

Representation ID: 5128

Received: 13/12/2022

Respondent: Seven Homes

Agent: RCA Regeneration

Whilst we are broadly supportive of this policy, we consider that smaller housing sites need to be better defined. Given that Rural Exception Sites are delivered on the basis of local need, this policy assumes that sites can only be small, which runs contrary to the NPPF which does not stipulate such sites should be small.

Support

Representation ID: 5141

Received: 19/12/2022

Respondent: St Philips

Agent: RCA Regeneration

Whilst we are broadly supportive of this policy, we consider that smaller housing sites need to be better defined. Given that Rural Exception Sites are delivered on the basis of local need, this policy assumes that sites can only be small, which runs contrary to the NPPF which does not stipulate such sites should be small:

Paragraph 78 states that ‘In rural areas, planning policies and decisions should be responsive to local circumstances and support housing developments that reflect local needs. Local planning authorities should support opportunities to bring forward rural exception sites that will provide affordable housing to meet identified local needs, and consider whether allowing some market housing on these sites would help to facilitate this.’

Support

Representation ID: 5153

Received: 21/12/2022

Respondent: Taylor Reed Homes

Agent: RCA Regeneration Ltd

Whilst we are broadly supportive of this policy, we consider that smaller housing sites need to be better defined. Given that Rural Exception Sites are delivered on the basis of local need, this policy assumes that sites can only be small, which runs contrary to the NPPF which does not stipulate such sites should be small:

Paragraph 78 states that ‘In rural areas, planning policies and decisions should be responsive to local circumstances and support housing developments that reflect local needs. Local planning authorities should support opportunities to bring forward rural exception sites that will provide affordable housing to meet identified local needs, and consider whether allowing some market housing on these sites would help to facilitate this.’

We therefore do not consider that this is consistent with national policy.

Object

Representation ID: 5238

Received: 21/12/2022

Respondent: Richborough Estates

Agent: RCA Regeneration Ltd

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? No

Whilst we are broadly supportive of this policy, we consider that smaller housing sites need to be better defined. Given that Rural Exception Sites are delivered on the basis of local need, this policy assumes that sites can only be small, which runs contrary to the NPPF which does not stipulate
such sites should be small.
Paragraph 78 states that ‘In rural areas, planning policies and decisions should be responsive to local circumstances and support housing developments that reflect local needs. Local planning authorities should support opportunities to bring forward rural exception sites that will provide affordable housing to meet identified local needs, and consider whether allowing some market housing on these sites would help to facilitate this.’
We therefore do not consider that this is consistent with national policy.

Object

Representation ID: 5250

Received: 21/12/2022

Respondent: CCB Investments

Agent: RCA Regeneration

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? No

Whilst we are broadly supportive of this policy, we consider that smaller housing sites need to be better defined. Given that Rural Exception Sites are delivered on the basis of local need, this policy assumes that sites can only be small, which runs contrary to the NPPF which does not stipulate such sites should be small.
Paragraph 78 states that ‘In rural areas, planning policies and decisions should be responsive to local circumstances and support housing developments that reflect local needs. Local planning authorities should support opportunities to bring forward rural exception sites that will provide affordable housing to meet identified local needs, and consider whether allowing some market housing on these sites would help to facilitate this.’
We therefore do not consider that this is consistent with national policy.