Preferred Options November 2021

Support

Representation ID: 686

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: David Wilson Homes

Agent: Turley

Policies DS1 – DS4 and SA1 – SA7 represent policies which are limited to those necessary to address the strategic priorities of the area providing a starting point for any non-strategic policies that are needed as defined by NPPF paragraph 21.

Support

Representation ID: 1585

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: David Wilson Homes

Agent: Turley

The scope of the evidence base prepared to inform the emerging plan is generally robust and proportionate. However, it is noted that the transport modelling work has yet to be published (expected in 2022). This will be critical to informing the new plan and may require changes to the preferred options consultation plan to reflect its findings.

Object

Representation ID: 1587

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: David Wilson Homes

Agent: Turley

In summary, the Council’s evidence base has underplayed the role of Featherstone as a settlement, and over played the constraints associated with Site 396, thereby underplaying the role Featherstone could have in delivering new homes sustainably. As set out in our responses to Q2, Q5 and Q7, Site 396 should be a proposed allocation in the plan, or safeguarded as a minimum.

Object

Representation ID: 1588

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: David Wilson Homes

Agent: Turley

Concern remains about the ROF Featherstone access road having an estimated cost of £20m. The IDP indicates this will be funded via public sector funding and developer contribution. Given that ROF Featherstone will provide employment benefits for the settlement of Featherstone the
funding gap could be narrowed through contributions from new housing growth around Featherstone.

Support

Representation ID: 1590

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: David Wilson Homes

Agent: Turley

The objectives rightly reflect the District’s need for new homes, as well as the contribution to the unmet
needs of the wider (GBBCHMA), and that new development should be focused in sustainable locations.

Object

Representation ID: 1591

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: David Wilson Homes

Agent: Turley

No explanation as to which settlements constitute ‘key villages’. Notwithstanding the argument that Featherstone should be identified as a Tier 2 settlement, it has to be presumed that Tier 3 settlements are included within this definition. In terms of strategic objective 9 it should acknowledge that new development will also maintain and enhance the vitality of South Staffordshire’s rural communities, as recognised by NPPF paragraph 79.

Support

Representation ID: 1592

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: David Wilson Homes

Agent: Turley

DWH support South Staffordshire’s spatial strategy to 2038 insofar as it seeks to deliver a minimum of 4,881 dwellings for the district’s own needs, plus a contribution of 4,000 dwellings towards meeting the GBBCHMA shortfall.

DWH also endorse the key strand underpinning the spatial strategy that growth is distributed to the District’s most sustainable locations to avoid a disproportionate level of growth in the District’s less sustainable settlements. This reflects the requirements of the NPPF.

Object

Representation ID: 1594

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: David Wilson Homes

Agent: Turley

There is a clear inconsistency in the proposed new settlement hierarchy, particularly with regard to Featherstone. Featherstone has a strong offering of services and facilities which are commensurate with that offered by Tier 2 settlements.
Concerns regarding the potential delivery of infrastructure
required to support the Cross Green (draft policy SA2). The Council should seriously consider additional allocations to ensure the District’s housing needs are met in full. Given Featherstone’s range of facilities, commensurate of a Tier 2 settlement, it is well placed to
accommodate additional housing allocations to make up any shortfall.
Reflecting the scale of growth at other Tier 2 settlements it may be that circa 150 dwellings would be most suitable in terms of the size of Featherstone. Enclosed at Appendix 3 is a plan demonstrating the area of Site 396 which could be proposed for allocation or safeguarded. The plan period should be extended to reflect NPPF paragraph 22 which states that strategic policies should look ahead over a minimum 15 year period from adoption.

Support

Representation ID: 1595

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: David Wilson Homes

Agent: Turley

Have no in principle objection to the proposed allocation at Cross Green (draft policy SA2), although there remain a number of concerns regarding its delivery:
There is currently no evidence available as to how the access road, which is estimated to cost just £20m and is a key piece of infrastructure required as part of the proposed allocation.
There is no evidence regarding the delivery trajectory for Cross Green
In order to de-risk the plan, the plan should seek to allocate additional sites nearby (such as the sustainably located Site 396 to the west of Featherstone).

Object

Representation ID: 1596

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: David Wilson Homes

Agent: Turley

Reflecting our responses to Q2, Q5 and Q7 draft policy SA5 should include Site 396, or that part of it immediately to the west of Featherstone as a proposed allocation, or as a minimum safeguarded land.