Spatial Strategy
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CHAPTER 3 – Spatial Strategy Paragraphs 3.1 – 3.3 This supporting text was responded to by 7 people/organisations. Support 0 Object 5 Comment 2 Overarching Summary The Plan is not ambitious enough – it should be a plan for the world in the 2020s. The garden communities provide the perfect opportunity for a sustainable local economy in the information age. The strategy is too focused on housing numbers at the expense of everything else. It is not clear when and where the houses are needed. Consider that a plan is needed, not a spatial portrait. The phrase garden communities conceals unpalatable truths. This plan is not sustainable due to the size and lack of infrastructure. The plan clearly does not respect the local character of Uttlesford and the villages to be directly affected by this plan, especially those nearby the West of Braintree site. Statutory consultees and other bodies Littlebury Parish Council – Uttlesford claims it wants to be one of the best places to live in the 2020s and beyond. The plan must be much more ambitious and embrace the world of the 2030s if it to achieve this. Aiming for a sustainable local economy in the information age should be a priority. The Plan should deliver world class broadband throughout the district, early development of new large employment sites to attract growing industries, development of a comprehensive network of non-fossil fuel transport links and build on the enviable local education provision to give young people a head start. The proposed new garden villages provide a perfect opportunity to do so. Stop Erosion of Rural Communities in Local Essex (SERCLE) – The strategy appears to be one of packing as many dwellings into an area as possible with total disregard for how the population will be supported in just about every respect. Developers/landowners/site promoters No responses from developers, landowners or site promoters. Individuals Whilst much is made of the numbers there is nothing about where or when the houses are needed, merely an average annual requirement of 641. Distribution is based on settlement hierarchy etc. but where is the evidence that shows when/ where the housing is needed? What is a spatial portrait? Surely it should be a spatial mission with a vision to provide to the people of Uttlesford? This is not a painting, it is a plan. Object to the statement that the spatial strategy sets out the principles of sustainable development. The proposals in this plan are not sustainable due to the size and lack of suitable infrastructure. The plan clearly does not respect the local character of Uttlesford and the villages to be directly affected by this plan, especially those nearby the West of Braintree site. Garden communities is a cuddly, woolly phrase, plannerspeak, to conceal unpalatable truths. Sustainability Appraisal June 2017 Not applicable Presumption in favour of sustainable development Paragraph 3.4 This policy and supporting text was responded to by 4 people and /organisations. Support 1 Object 1 Comment 2 Overarching Summary Some support for Paragraph 3.4. Suggest include reference to making the efficient use of previously-developed (brownfield) land in accordance with national policy. Concern that there are no priorities between different goals which could lead to conflicts and negative impacts on Uttlesford. Concern that development should be accompanied by local business growth and sustainable transport. Statutory consultees and other bodies No statutory consultees or other bodies responded to Paragraph 3.4. Developers/landowners/site promoters The general content and policy direction of Policy SP1 is supported. It is however noted that paragraph 3.4 defines the key criteria against which the sustainable credential of a development should be assessed. It is considered that the need to actively encourage developments to make the efficient use of land by promoting the re-use of previously developed (brownfield) land should be included within the text. In order for the supporting text and Policy SP1 itself to be compliant with national policy, and therefore pass the tests of soundness, it is suggested that the following text change is needed to paragraph 3.4 [suggested additional text shown underlined]: “… This includes: building a strong, competitive economy, making the efficient use of land by promoting the re-use of previously developed (brownfield) land, ensuring the vitality of town centres: supporting a prosperous rural economy, promoting sustainable transport; supporting strong vibrant and healthy communities and protecting and enhancing the natural, built and historic environment…” Individuals Support paragraph 3.4. The objective is laudable. Concerned that there has been a reduction in higher-wage, long-term job opportunities in the local town over the past years. The local plan should provide good incentive to revive local business with jobs provision together with housing developments. And transport infrastructure should be sustainable. Concerned that there are no priorities among different goals as there may be conflicts among them. A presumption in favour of development is only positive if the condition of the district is poor. But in Uttlesford, it is likely to destroy much of what makes Uttlesford attractive. Sustainability Appraisal June 2017 Not applicable Policy SP1 - Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development Policy SP1 was responded to by 28 people and organisations. TOTAL Support 9 Object 9 Comment 10 Overarching Summary Clarification sought as to the definition of “sustainable development” and “presumption in favour of sustainable development” specifically for the local context. Suggestion that Policies S1 and S12 could be combined. Concerns raised regarding the following part of Policy SP1: ‘where there are no policies relevant to the application, or relevant policies are out of date at the time of making the decision, the Council will grant permission unless material considerations indicate otherwise’. The concern was that this position would undermine the Local Plan. Strong objections were expressed by Little Chesterford Parish Council, including assumptions for the stated housing numbers, the need to safeguard the separation of settlements, and the selection and delivery of the North Uttlesford Garden Village. Detailed wording changes suggested by a number of respondents. Concern that the audit trail for the Local Plan is incomplete particularly in relation to the Local Plan Sustainability Assessment process, including the transparency and availability of data, the interim SA Environment Report and some supporting decision-making evidence. Some support for the policy including from most of the landowners/ developers and Historic England. Some support for Paragraph 3.4. Suggest include reference to making the efficient use of previously-developed (brownfield) land in accordance with national policy. Concern that there are no priorities between different goals which could lead to conflicts and negative impacts on Uttlesford. Concern that development should be accompanied by local business growth and sustainable transport. Statutory consultees and other bodies CPREssex - Support for a shared, clear and meaningful understanding of what is meant by “sustainable development”. East Hertfordshire District Council - The positive and proactive approach taken in the Uttlesford Local Plan to ensure that the identified housing needs are met across the Plan period is endorsed by EHDC. The Plan exceeds the needs identified in the recent SHMA update of July 2017 by some 700 homes, thus building in an element of flexibility. Whilst East Herts Council is generally supportive of the Uttlesford Local Plan consultation document, the Council considers that there are a number of areas of the Plan that require amendment, either in order to make the Plan sound or for clarification and robustness purposes. Elsenham Parish Council - Elsenham Parish Council is concerned by the statement ‘Where there are no policies relevant to the application, or relevant policies are out of date at the time of making the decision, the Council will grant permission unless material considerations indicate otherwise’. This formulation suggests that the default position for an application not included within the Local Plan is that it should be accepted. The vast amount of work involved in producing and commenting on the Plan would thereby be rendered largely valueless. The ‘material considerations’ whereby an application might be rejected are too vague to be meaningful. The statement should be amended on the lines of, ‘Where there are no policies relevant to the application, or relevant policies are out of date at the time of making the decision, the application will be refused unless overwhelming reasons can be produced for its acceptance.’ Historic England - Policy SP1 states that the Council will take a positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the NPPF. Reference back to the meaning of sustainable development as defined by the NPPF is welcomed. Little Chesterford Parish Council - Little Chesterford Parish Council strongly object to the 2017 Uttlesford Local Plan: - The need for the stated housing numbers is based on unsound assumptions. - We urge UDC to include preserving separation of settlements in the spatial vision and policies to maintain and protect their distinctive character. - Policies that apply to housing development in Little Chesterford are unclear. - The spatial