GLADMAN DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED

Land off Easton Lane, Bozeat

Borough Council of

STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

MAY 2014

Land off Easton Lane, Bozeat Statement of Community Involvement 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

1.1.1 This statement sets out the process of community engagement that has been undertaken by Gladman Developments Limited (GDL) to inform a Planning Application for housing and public open space for up to 75 homes on land off Easton Lane, Bozeat

1.2 Policy Background

1.2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) encourages a positive and proactive problem solving and solution approach to decision taking. It encourages pre-application engagement with stakeholders and the community to foster efficiency and effectiveness in the planning application process and improved outcomes for the community.

1.2.2 The North Statement of Community Involvement was adopted by the Joint Committee on 14th November 2013 and by the Borough Council of Wellingborough on 14th January 2014. This document sets out how interested parties can get involved in the preparation of the planning policy and guidance documents and decisions on planning applications for developments.

1.2.3 The Council’s Statement of Community Involvement classifies all application proposals involving the construction of 10 dwellings or more as ‘major’ applications. It provides that for major applications, developers should carry out consultation before formally submitting a planning application. It further provides that the format of this consultation may vary but should include, for example, discussions with the Parish or Town Council; engagement with the local community on the emerging proposals by some means and engagement with the statutory consultees. It also indicates that any consultation responses received should be considered by the applicant before the application is submitted.

1.3 Gladman’s Approach

1.3.1 Having considered the North Northamptonshire Statement of Community Involvement, Gladman have completed a programme of community engagement which is considered appropriate for the proposed development on this site.

1.3.2 This report details the programme and results of the Public Consultation.

Land off Easton Lane, Bozeat Statement of Community Involvement 2 ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF WELLINGBOROUGH & OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

2.1 Discussions with Council Officers

2.1.1 A Screening Request was submitted to Development Services at the Borough Council of Wellingborough on 26th March 2014 seeking confirmation that an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required for this development.

2.1.2 Gladman received a response from Olawale Duyile at the Borough Council of Wellingborough dated 23rd April 2014 confirming that an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required.

2.1.3 A copy of this response can be found at Appendix D.

2.1.4 The applicant has engaged with other statutory consultees to discuss key issues raised during the consultation process.

2.2 Engagement with other Local Stakeholders

2.2.1 Gladman both directly and through consultants have engaged with other stakeholders during the pre-application stage including:

 Bozeat Parish Council  Ward Councillor (South Ward)  Northamptonshire Highways  Anglian Water Services  Environment Agency  Utility Providers

2.2.2 Detailed comments from statutory consultees are explained further and addressed in our supporting technical documents submitted with the application.

Land off Easton Lane, Bozeat Statement of Community Involvement 3 ENGAGEMENT WITH THE LOCAL COMUNITY

3.1 Initial Consultation Leaflet

3.1.1 A leaflet outlining the development principles was sent by e-mail and by post to the Clerk to Bozeat Parish Council and Ward Councillor on 14th April 2014 prior to the main distribution

3.1.2 Copies of the leaflet were delivered via Royal Mail on 16th April 2014 to approximately 940 households and businesses in the village.

3.1.3 A copy of the leaflet can be found at Appendix A.

3.1.4 Following distribution there has been 29 responses in relation to the leaflet, received by email and post.

3.1.5 Copies of the feedback received during the Consultation Period can be found at Appendix B.

3.2 Bozeat Parish Council

3.2.1 A copy of the leaflet was sent on 14th April with an accompanying letter, offering to meet with Parish Council Members to discuss the proposals.

3.2.2 Gladman received a response from the Parish Council Clerk on 17th April 2014 acknowledging

receipt and informing that the information had been passed on to members.

3.2.3 There has been no response to this, or regarding our proposals from the Parish Council

members to date.

3.3 Ward Council

3.3.1 A further copy of the leaflet was sent on 14th April with an accompanying letter, offering to meet with Ward Council Members to discuss the proposals.

3.3.2 There has been no response to this, or regarding our proposals from the Ward Councillor to

date.

Land off Easton Lane, Bozeat Statement of Community Involvement 3.4 Your Views Website

3.4.1 Gladman have a dedicated website for each of its projects which contains details of the project, copies of the information boards and other information about the scheme.

3.4.2 A copy of the information boards can be found at Appendix C.

3.4.3 The website allows feedback to be sent via email to Gladman.

3.4.4 The website for this project www.your-views.co.uk/bozeat commenced operation on 14th April to coincide with the distribution of the consultation leaflets.

Land off Easton Lane, Bozeat Statement of Community Involvement 4 CONSULTATION REVIEW

4.1 Consultation Outcomes

4.1.1 Gladman are pleased that a few people took the opportunity to engage with the consultation process for the proposed site and provided comments during the pre-application process.

4.2 Summary of Comments

4.2.1 Below are some of the comments to date that were submitted during the community engagement period:

Summary of Comments Response

HOUSING  There is a requirement by the Local Authority that 30% Affordable Housing should be  Looking at your proposals for the Bozeat site I am provided on any development scheme in in favour of more housing in Bozeat. A range of 3 Bozeat. & 4 Bedroom houses would be good along with first time buyer properties.  A sustainable mix of house types and sizes will be provided. The mix will be informed by local  I would not oppose the new housing off Easton evidence of need. Lane (75 properties).

 We do not need affordable housing in Bozeat.

 I do not believe there is a need for housing for first time buyers or young professionals in Bozeat.

 I would rather look out of my window to a large green field and animals than be overlooked by neighbouring houses.

 75 new homes will most definitely lose the 'community spirit' and make it feel more like a town.

HIGHWAYS  Gladman have submitted a full transport Assessment and Framework Travel Plan as  A development of 75 units has the potential to supporting documents to the Planning generate approximately 40 vehicle trips in the AM Application. Peak, which will further increase congestion at the Bozeat Roundabout.

 This is a very busy road already with traffic speeding into the village.

Land off Easton Lane, Bozeat Statement of Community Involvement

SUSTAINABILITY/INFRASTRUCTURE  Gladman have submitted a Sustainability Assessment as a supporting document to this  The services in this village are poor and have not Planning Application which will provide much updated since I've lived here 29 years ago. more detail on the sustainability of the site.  More people living in this village need better  It is submitted that the provision of additional services such as Cable being installed, so the housing and the additional local spend that will Internet isn’t dial-up, shops e.g. One Stop, be delivered as a consequence will provide a Morrisons Local, Tesco Express etc. boost to local services and encourage local operators (e.g. bus companies) to improve  I do not see a need for developing community services. facilities.

 If it can be demonstrated that there is a need for additional infrastructure to mitigate the impact of the proposed development, consideration will be given to helping deliver this through the development package (subject to compliance with Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) regulations.

FLOODING/DRAINAGE  A full Flood Risk Assessment, including Drainage Strategy has been submitted as a supporting  There is an issue with flooding in the village. document to this Planning Application  This has been reported to the environment agency on every occasion but by the time they get around to visiting the village, which is usually about a week later, the water has receded.

4.2.2 Gladman aim to ensure that all comments raised throughout the consultation process are considered to inform the Planning Application.

4.2.3 A number of supporting documents are submitted along with the Planning Application which tend to cover a number of concerns or issues raised throughout the consultation period.

Land off Easton Lane, Bozeat Statement of Community Involvement 5 POTENTIAL FOR COMMUNITY BENEFITS

5.1.1 Throughout the consultation process Gladman have encouraged suggestions as to how the local community could benefit from the proposed development.

5.1.2 Potential suggestions must be tested against Government rules which limit what those seeking planning permission can offer (which exist to ensure developers cannot ‘buy’ permissions). However, the applicant will discuss the ideas put forward with the Town Council.

5.1.3 Implementation of the agreed community benefits and development mitigations will be guaranteed through their inclusion within a Section 106 agreement.