Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Para 3.3: Focusing the majority of new development on the main towns (including urban extensions - i.e. including land at North Stevenage (Policy SP8/SP16: NS1) adjoining the district boundary), is supported because it is the most sustainable approach, consistent with the guidance in both the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Government's web-based Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

ENV1: this strategic objective is supported because it recognises that the plan should direct development towards the most sustainable locations (i.e. the main towns and North Stevenage) which will also protect and reinforce the existing settlement pattern. This approach is consistent with the guidance in both the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Government's web-based Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

SOC1: this objective is supported as it acknowledges the importance of making provision for a range of house types and tenures. The objective could be improved by linking it to local distinctiveness and site specific circumstances by adding the words 'having regard to the character and appearance of the locality and site specific circumstances.'

Policy SP1(a): Sustainable Development in North Hertfordshire:
This part of the policy is supported. This is because maintaining the role of the key settlements both within and adjoining (i.e. North Stevenage) the District as the main focus for housing, employment and new development is the most sustainable approach and is consistent with the guidance in both the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Government's web-based Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

Policy SP1(b): Sustainable Development in North Hertfordshire:
This part of the policy is supported. This is because Item (b) sets out an appropriate framework to guide development proposals on the allocated sites, and is consistent with the guidance in both the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Government's web-based Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

Policy SP2: Settlement Hierarchy:
The policy is supported. This is because the settlement hierarchy set out in the policy is the most sustainable approach and is consistent with the guidance in both the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Government's web-based Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

Policy SP3: Employment:
Whilst the policy is not objected to in principle, Croudace have concerns in relation to Item (d) in that the phrase 'an appropriate amount of employment land to be included through the masterplanning process in major new developments' is considered to be too vague and imprecise.
Whilst Croudace have no objection to the inclusion of a small amount of employment land in the proposals for the North Stevenage site (i.e Policy SP8/SP16-NS1) as part of a new Local Centre, required to meet local needs, the NS1 site is primarily a housing allocation and would struggle to accommodate a large area of land set aside for employment, nor would this be appropriate. Item (d) of the policy therefore needs to be more specific, perhaps including a Table setting out the employment requirement for each of the major strategic sites.

Policy SP5: Countryside and Green Belt:
The policy is supported. This is because the Council recognised, in the preparation of its draft plan, the need for a comprehensive Green Belt review in order to be able to accommodate its objectively assessed housing need (OAN) for the plan period. The release of appropriate areas of land from the
Green Belt is the only way to be able to meet the OAN in the most sustainable locations (i.e. such as at North Stevenage - Policy SP8/SP16 - NS1). Having completed that review and removed certain areas of land from the Green Belt in order to accommodate new development, it is appropriate to protect the remaining Green Belt areas in accordance with the guidance in the NPPF and PPG.

Policy SP7: Infrastructure Requirements:
The wording of Item (f) in the policy is objected to. The words 'Take a stringent approach' are considered to be too inflexible. Matters relating to the detailed viability of a scheme will depend on many interrelated factors and are complex. It is suggested that the words 'Take a stringent approach' be deleted and replaced with the words 'Take an investigative and balanced approach'.

Policy SP8 Housing. The policy is supported. The provision of 'at least' 14,000 new homes to meet the District's own needs during the plan period is consistent with the findings of the SHMA and the ORS 'Updating the Overall Housing Need' report (August 2016), which sets out the OAN for the area.

It should be noted, and acknowledged, that an outcome which resulted in the delivery of a higher number of houses than set out in the OAN would not be an objectionable outcome, given the severe shortage of housing completions throughout England.