Publication Plan November 2022

Comment

Representation ID: 4592

Received: 22/12/2022

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd

Agent: Evolve Planning & Design

Taylor Wimpey supports Policy HC15 in respect of education infrastructure which appears to represent a continuation of the current approach.
It should be noted the Land at Cross Green is proposing to deliver a new first/primary school to serve the proposed strategic allocation. This is a requirement set out in Policy SA2. The Development Framework Plan for Cross Green identifies a site of 1.6ha to cater for this new facility which is located within the centre of the site, close to other services and facilities proposed, including a local centre and green infrastructure.
It is recommended that engagement with SCC Education informs further refinement of the Infrastructure Delivery Plan as part of the Local Plan review process. If a First School is required rather than a Primary School, the size of the site necessary to accommodate the school will be less than the 1.6ha identified in Policy SA2. A definitive trigger for requiring the transfer of the land and for the opening of any associated school is also necessary to inform any site phasing plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 4594

Received: 22/12/2022

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd

Agent: Evolve Planning & Design

Taylor Wimpey notes the Indoor Sports Facilities Strategy and Playing Pitch Assessment/Strategy that forms part of the evidence base for the emerging Local Plan.
Taylor Wimpey recognises that a financial contribution to sports facilities and playing pitches may be necessary from new major development to meet needs arising from the development where evidence recognises there is a shortfall in capacity to meet the generated demand.
The policy allows for a financial contribution to improve existing facilities in lieu of new on-site provision where appropriate.

Comment

Representation ID: 4595

Received: 22/12/2022

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd

Agent: Evolve Planning & Design

Taylor Wimpey supports the policy approach to protecting, maintaining and enhancing where possible a network of interconnected, multi-functional and accessible green and blue spaces.
Taylor Wimpey supports the provision of multi-functional greenspace as part of strategic developments.
Again, the Development Framework Plan included at Appendix 3 demonstrates the delivery of multi-functional, interconnected, accessible green and blue spaces as part of the comprehensive proposal for Cross Green.

Object

Representation ID: 4596

Received: 22/12/2022

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd

Agent: Evolve Planning & Design

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

The requirement for an Employment and Skills Plan to be prepared for all developments of 100 or more residential units is not supported by Taylor Wimpey.
It is not clear how any certainty could be provided through the provision of such a Plan. It should be recognised that the business model employed by Taylor Wimpey and other major housebuilders relies upon subcontractor businesses. It is therefore not considered that this policy is not justified and any outcomes unlikely to be effective.

Comment

Representation ID: 4597

Received: 22/12/2022

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd

Agent: Evolve Planning & Design

Taylor Wimpey notes the reference to a small quantity of retail provision being supported within Policy EC8 at Cross Green to support the existing Retail Centres Hierarchy.
It is intended that retail floorspace will be included within a central village hub as part of a mix of commercial and community facilities.
The Policy is not clear whether the net floorspace thresholds identified within Policy EC8 for the provision of impact assessments will apply to the Strategic Development Locations.

Comment

Representation ID: 4598

Received: 22/12/2022

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd

Agent: Evolve Planning & Design

Taylor Wimpey supports the Council’s proposed infrastructure led strategy which seeks to focus development towards larger and better-connected settlements and where appropriate deliver new infrastructure benefits alongside new development.
Land at Cross Green is a larger strategic proposal that can facilitate significant infrastructure provision (lists infrastructure to be provided).
Taylor Wimpey is committed to engaging with the District Council, and other stakeholders to explore infrastructure requirements to inform future iterations of the Infrastructure Delivery Plan and the emerging proposal for Land at Cross Green.

Comment

Representation ID: 4599

Received: 22/12/2022

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd

Agent: Evolve Planning & Design

Taylor Wimpey is supportive of the need to address net losses to Biodiversity, through the provision of enhancement to deliver an overall net gain. The Council’s policy requirement to deliver 10% Biodiversity Net Gain, reflects that of the Environment Act and is not objected to.

Comment

Representation ID: 4600

Received: 22/12/2022

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd

Agent: Evolve Planning & Design

Taylor Wimpey notes further evidence in respect of Cannock Chase SAC, including a review of mitigation measures and visitor survey. This evidence has informed the current mitigation measures as Policy NB3 to address any impact arising from development within a 15km radius of Cannock Chase SAC.

Object

Representation ID: 5004

Received: 22/12/2022

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd

Agent: Lichfields

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? No

Taylor Wimpey supports the general thrust of the Council’s preferred spatial strategy.
However, Taylor Wimpey has the below comments on draft Policy DS5 and the distribution of housing across the District. It is recommended that the Council addresses the concerns raised below in order to ensure that a robust and sound policy is adopted.
Taylor Wimpey have concerns regarding the Council’s consideration of the western edge of
the Black Country, with specific reference to the south-west border of Stourbridge and its
ability to accommodate growth. The Council’s PP document has not had due regard to the
role that the settlements along the western edge of the Black Country holds in terms of achieving sustainable development and addressing the housing need, such as Stourbridge. The settlement is sustainably located and utilises the variety of existing services, facilities, and employment opportunities available.
In this regard, Taylor Wimpey is concerned that the Council has not appropriately considered growth on the western edge of the Black Country, which could warrant its approach unreasonable.
In essence, the Council’s PP appears to have had limited regard to the role that development on the western edge of the Black Country could play in addressing the
District’s housing needs as well as the unmet housing need within the GBBCHMA.
The PP has directed development towards only one
location on the Dudley-South Staffordshire Border with the Council’s singular reason being that Dudley has only a relatively limited unmet need when compared to the rest of the GBBCHMA. Wimpey disagrees with the Council’s conclusions and the proposed spatial strategy as the western edge of the Black Country has been identified as an area capable of accommodating
future growth but has only received one draft allocation within the PP. Taylor Wimpey considers that the Council should direct further residential development towards the western edge of the Black Country, specifically along the border of Stourbridge.

Object

Representation ID: 5006

Received: 22/12/2022

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd

Agent: Lichfields

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? No

Omission Site: Clent View Road (site reference 285).

Taylor Wimpey welcomes the Council’s recognition of the need to review the Green Belt to ensure that its housing need can be met, and a contribution to the GBBCHMA’s unmet need can be provided. Critically, Taylor Wimpey supports the Council’s judgement that the acuteness of unmet housing needs across the GBBCHMA constitutes exceptional circumstances for the release of land from the Green Belt. However, Taylor Wimpey has some concerns regarding the site selection process carried out and considers the methodology and assessment of individual sites to be flawed with regards to their land
interests at Clent View Road, Stourbridge.
However, it is important to note that the HSSTP identifies the total site area as 29.05ha, whereas, and as previously noted above, the proposed site area for Clent View Road is a much smaller 19.6ha. And thus, Taylor Wimpey considers that the site has been inappropriately assessed within both the 2021 SHELAA and the HSSTP.
Challenge the Green Belt assessment for the site.
Overall, It is evident that there are opportunities to allocate additional ‘suitable, available and achievable’ land and sites in sustainable locations across the District, in particular along the western edge of the Black Country. This location is a suitable option for growth that is capable of contributing towards the housing need emerging through the Local Plan Review. Specifically, Taylor Wimpey recommends that Clent View Road should be allocated for residential development as it is a sustainable and appropriate opportunity to provide much needed housing within the upcoming Plan period. Importantly, the Council has identified exceptional circumstances for reviewing the Green Belt, and thus Taylor Wimpey encourages the Council to consider Clent View Road as a suitable opportunity for residential development.