Black Country Core Strategy Issue and Option Report

Support

Representation ID: 3176

Received: 14/12/2017

Respondent: CJZ Design Limited

Agent: SLR Consulting

SLR supports the premise of the of Option 1A provided that the strategy is updated to reflect the findings of the Greater Birmingham and Black Country Housing Market Area (HMA) Strategic Growth Study and any findings it may have that influence both housing needs within the HMA and the potential release of Green Belt land. SLR does, however, view that it would be more sustainable to accommodate housing allocations within the Green Belt rather than larger employment land sites.

Finally, consideration must be given to the deliverability of larger housing sites within the Growth Networks and Regeneration Corridors, especially given the constrained nature of these sites and their longer term timescales for release. The Core Strategy has already identified that there have been significant delays to bringing forward such sites given the costs of land assembly and remediation. As such, there will need to be an interim solution to meet short term housing need whilst the larger strategic brownfield sites are being released for development.

Object

Representation ID: 3177

Received: 14/12/2017

Respondent: CJZ Design Limited

Agent: SLR Consulting

The Core Strategy and its evidence base has already identified that there is a significant demand for employment sites within the Black Country urban area. As such, the continued loss of such strategic employment land provision would be detrimental to the Strategic Growth of the Black Country, whilst housing could be more suitable for location outside of the Growth Network.

Support

Representation ID: 3178

Received: 14/12/2017

Respondent: CJZ Design Limited

Agent: SLR Consulting

SLR supports the release of both small scale and medium scale housing sites within the Green Belt. As per all such potential sites for Green Belt release, these should be considered on a case-by-case scenario within a comprehensive Green Belt Review and subsequent Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment covering both the Black Country Core Strategy Area and the wider HMA.

Support

Representation ID: 3179

Received: 14/12/2017

Respondent: CJZ Design Limited

Agent: SLR Consulting

On behalf of our client(s), CJZ Design Limited who represents the landowners; Mrs Johnson, Mr Hill, Mr Rogerson and Messrs Hughes/Hawkins, SLR has prepared a Promotional Document reviewing the development opportunities associated with their site at Tipton Road and Setton Drive, Woodsetton / Sedgley. This document has been submitted for your reference and should be read in conjunction with these representations.

As outlined within the document, the site provides a clear opportunity for a medium scale housing site release from the designated Green Belt. Its location within the urban area of Dudley, its lack of development constraints and the functionality of the Green Belt indicates that this site is suitable, available and deliverable in both the short and longer term. SLR would welcome the opportunity to discuss this site with you in more detail.

Support

Representation ID: 3180

Received: 14/12/2017

Respondent: CJZ Design Limited

Agent: SLR Consulting

Our client is promoting a site at Tipton Road and Setton Drive, Woodsetton / Sedgley, which lies within the authoritative bounds of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council. Whilst this site would not form an SUE, it does represent an opportunity to provide a housing site within the urban area that could assist in meeting housing needs for the Black Country and wider HMA.

SLR would suggest that the minimum size for a Sustainable Urban Extension under Option H2 would need to be in the region of 500 units. The mix of uses, housing types and its overall accessibility would need to be considered on a case-by-case scenario dependent upon the findings of the SHMA and the sites location in proximity to existing infrastructure.

Comment

Representation ID: 3181

Received: 14/12/2017

Respondent: CJZ Design Limited

Agent: SLR Consulting

This will be entirely dependent upon the size and location of the SUE in relation to the existing infrastructure in the locality. Consideration should be given to highways and transport, utilities and communication, education and public services (including schools, medical, libraries and shops etc.), sport and open space provision, environment and green infrastructure, and waste. Again, much of this provision can be dealt with as a result of the planning application process and associated legal agreements (CIL and S.106 etc.).

Support

Representation ID: 3182

Received: 14/12/2017

Respondent: CJZ Design Limited

Agent: SLR Consulting

On behalf of our client(s), CJZ Design Limited who represents the landowners; Mrs Johnson, Mr Hill, Mr Rogerson and Messrs Hughes/Hawkins, SLR has prepared a Promotional Document reviewing the development opportunities associated with their site at Tipton Road and Setton Drive, Woodsetton / Sedgley. This document
has been submitted for your reference.

Whilst this site would not form an SUE, it does represent an opportunity to provide a housing site within the urban area that could assist in meeting housing needs for the Black Country and wider HMA. Its location within the urban area of Dudley ensures that it is a more sustainable location than other sites located further afield. SLR would welcome the opportunity to discuss this site with you in more detail.

Object

Representation ID: 3183

Received: 14/12/2017

Respondent: CJZ Design Limited

Agent: SLR Consulting

Bringing forward detailed guidance within the Core Strategy for the development of SUEs would lead to the development not responding to its local circumstances; a homogenous set of guidance is considered unlikely to be of benefit to promoting the levels of housing delivery required within the HMA.

Were guidance to be contained within the Core Strategy, this should be kept at a high level with minimum constraints placed upon the deliverability of a scheme. It should be duly recognised that there is a shortfall of housing provision within the HMA and that increasing the level of guidance upon deliverability will likely result in unnecessary burdens being placed upon the developer when such requirements can be dealt with under existing mechanisms within the planning application process.

Support

Representation ID: 3184

Received: 14/12/2017

Respondent: CJZ Design Limited

Agent: SLR Consulting

SLR would recommend that a mixture of both options H1 and H2 are considered to allocate and bring forward sufficient allocations and subsequent safeguarded sites not only for this plan period but also beyond. This will need to be carefully considered within any subsequent comprehensive Green Belt Review that is undertaken as part of the evidence base, to ensure sufficient land is released and/or safeguarded.

Support

Representation ID: 3185

Received: 14/12/2017

Respondent: CJZ Design Limited

Agent: SLR Consulting

As identified within the Core Strategy Issues and Options Report, not all of the housing need can be accommodated within the Black Country even with significant Green Belt release within this area. As such, it is vital for the Black Country to enter into cross boundary collaboration with adjoining local planning authorities to identify suitable sites adjoining the urban fringe which could be brought forward to meet the needs of the wider HMA both for this plan period and beyond. As outlined above, any comprehensive Green Belt Review will also need to be undertaken on a cross boundary basis to ensure that the sites identified are the most suitable, available and deliverable sites possible to ensure a sustainable approach to housing provision within the wider area.

Notwithstanding, the site at Tipton Road and Setton Drive, Woodsetton / Sedgley represents a clear opportunity to release a Green Belt site within the urban area of Dudley. The urban context of this site and its proximity to a range of local services ensures that it would be a sustainable and suitable release from the Green Belt.