Support

Representation ID: 21239

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Newlands Developments

Spatial Strategy (Section 3)
The Spatial Strategy is set out in Draft Policies CSP1, CSP2, CSP3 and CSP4, and illustrated on the Key Spatial Diagram (Figure 2), which provides the overarching basis for the Plan’s proposals for growth and infrastructure improvements. We are supportive of the Key Spatial Diagram, as this accords with Paragraph 23 of the NPPF, which requires broad locations for development to be indicated on a key diagram, and land-use designations and allocations identified on a policies map.
The Site, located in Walsall, is identified on the Key Spatial Diagram as an employment development site (EMP1) located within a Core Regeneration Area (CSP2).

Development Strategy
Draft Policy CSP1 (Development Strategy) provides the overarching spatial strategy for the Black Country, setting out the scale and distribution of new development for the Plan period to 2039. Part 1 of this policy seeks to deliver at least 355 hectares of employment land. Part 2 explains that the spatial strategy seeks to deliver this by focusing growth and regeneration into the Growth Network that comprises the Strategic Centres and Core Regeneration Areas. We are supportive of this policy, which seeks to direct growth to the most sustainable locations and to sites which have been assessed as most suitable by the Black Country Authorities’ site selection process and as part of the Sustainability Appraisal (SA).

The Development Strategy, set out under Draft Policy CSP1, has been developed through a comprehensive assessment of a range of alternative options, as set out in the Spatial Options Paper. The SA also includes an assessment of eleven spatial options identified by the Councils. Each option has been assessed for its likely sustainable impacts.

The Preferred Spatial Option selected is Option J (Balanced Growth), which focuses growth within existing Strategic Centres, Core Regeneration Areas and Towns and Neighbourhood Areas in the sub-region. The strategy takes advantage of their existing infrastructure capacity, in addition to a limited number of new growth areas near to the edge of settlements that take account of environmental, climate change, accessibility and socio-economic requirements. Spatial Option J ensures that development within the Green Belt is only located in the most sustainable locations with good access to help reduce reliance on private car usage. This approach, along with Spatial Option J, is fully supported.

The Site benefits from a sustainable location with good access to surrounding sustainable modes of transport. There are two bus stops located immediately adjacent to the north of the Site along Bentley Lane. From this stop, services connect the Site to Walsall and Wolverhampton with regular 30-minute services seven days a week. The Site’s good public transport links are also important in the context of Paragraph 142 of the NPPF, which identifies that where it has been concluded that it is necessary to release Green Belt land for development, plans should give first consideration to land that is well served by public transport.

With regard to the local road network, the Site is located along Bentley Lane, which provides direct links to M6 Junction 10 via Bloxwich Lane, and is suitable for use by HGVs. The Walsall to Wolverhampton Core Regeneration Area is based around the Black Country Route and M6 Junction 10 road corridor, which is located approximately 2km to the south of the Site. This sustainable location, which is also in close proximity to a large labour force, means that it is suitable for high quality industrial and logistics development. It is therefore considered that the Site is suitable and deliverable and could be released from the Green Belt to provide much-needed employment land. This would be in accordance with the aims of the NPPF and would also assist in meeting the employment land need of the District and the unmet needs of the FEMA.