Comment

Representation ID: 21346

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: William Davis Homes

Agent: Define Planning and Design Ltd

POLICY HOU2 – HOUSING DENSITY, TYPE AND ACCESSIBILITY
WDH supports the BCAs’ recognition that residential net densities will be informed by the range, types and sizes of dwellings, accessibility to sustainable transport, and the need to achieve high-quality design and minimise amenity. In that regard, WDH recognises the indicative densities set out within the supporting text to the policy. That said, WDH would welcome a reference to final residential densities being informed by ‘development viability and site and settlement-specific considerations.’

Similarly, WDH welcomes the recognition in Policy HOU2 that final housing mixes will be informed by the most recently available evidence, and also recognises the inclusion of an indicative mix within the supporting text which itself is informed by the most recent Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA). However, WDH would appreciate additional flexibility being built into that policy given that the housing needs will inevitably vary greatly between the urban centres of Wolverhampton, Walsall, Brierley Hill and West Bromwich and more suburban areas. Therefore, the policy should be redrafted to read that final housing mixes should be “in line with most recently available information in relation to localised housing needs, and taking into account site and settlement-specific considerations, as well as viability.”