Object
South Norfolk Village Clusters Housing Allocations Plan (Reg. 19 Pre-submission Draft)
Representation ID: 3223
Received: 08/03/2023
Respondent: Ms Jill Margaillan
Agent: Sequence (UK) Ltd
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Yes
Sequence objects to Policy VC LM1 in its current drafting as it is not considered to be sound. In particular the policy is neither justified as it is not an appropriate strategy, nor effective in terms of being deliverable over the plan period (paragraph 35 of the Framework 2021).
The policy as currently drafted is inconsistent with other policies and allocations in the plan in that it does not set out the area of land to be developed in hectares, nor the number of dwellings.
Therefore the policy should be updated to include the following: '3ha of land is allocated for approximately 35 dwellings' consistent with paragraph 23.13.
This revision to the policy would ensure that the policy is sound and a full text is provided in the 'change to plan' part of this response.
This also includes taking the opportunity to address 2 drafting errors.
Sequence also confirms that the site remains available, deliverable and viable, as set out in the attached Site Promoter Engagement Form.
Sequence would suggest that Policy VC LM1 is revised to read as follows:
"Policy VC LM1: South of School Lane and East of Burnthouse Lane
3ha of land is allocated for approximately 35 dwellings.
The developer of the site will be required to ensure:
- Access from School Lane, with potential secondary pedestrian and cycle only access onto Braymeadow Lane;
- Footway improvements along the School Lane frontage, to link with existing provision;
- Provision of a parking area within the site (adjacent to School Lane) principally for school use, the nature and scale to be agreed with the Highways Authority, the Education Authority and Little Melton Primary School, as appropriate;
- South-east section of the site to remain undeveloped, and the layout and design on the adjoining areas to protect the rural setting of the listed barn, as detailed in the Heritage Impact Assessment;
- Access across the southeast section of the site, between the two elements to be developed, to be sympathetic to the setting of the listed barn;
- Proposals for the site to secure the long-term future of the listed barn;
- Historic Environment Record to be consulted to determine the need for any archaeological surveys prior to development;
- Protection and enhancement of the ecological/biodiversity features of the site, including the established trees, hedgerows and ponds, including appropriate reinforcement of planting on the southern and western boundaries, to contain the development in the rural landscape;
- Early engagement with Anglian Water regarding the need to phase development within the catchment of Whitlingham Water Recycling Centre."