Issues and Options Representations and Council Responses May 2017
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Reading Borough Local Plan: Issues and Options Representations and Council Responses May 2017 READING BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN: ISSUES AND OPTIONS REPRESENTATIONS AND COUNCIL RESPONSES Respondent Section of Summary of Response Reading Borough Council response Document Aviva Life and General Our client fully supports the objective and principle of putting in place Noted. Pensions UK Ltd an updated Local Plan that will help to continue to bring about positive change in the borough. Bearing in mind many of the current land uses across the Borough and their income generating nature, the challenge for the delivery of this plan for RBC is to ensure that it contains enabling planning policies in order to present an incentive for landowners and developers to want to embrace change and realise the aspiration of the Plan and to avoid where possible inactivity and CPO. As such, we consider that the plan’s preparation needs to be based on updated and robust assessments of issues such as housing, employment, retail and town centre uses before detailed policies are drafted. The plan, once adopted must be capable of delivery and present an integrated vision collectively based on individual land owners and developers which generates sufficient profit/income when compared to the current site operations, to make it a worthwhile enterprise to progress. Basingstoke General The council does not have detailed comments to make at this stage. Noted. Work on transport modelling is underway, and Deane However, we would like to take the opportunity of highlighting the and this will include examining the implications Borough need to fully take into account the impact of future proposals on the for the A33 corridor. Council borough’s strategic road network, most notably the A33 corridor which is a primary link between the settlements of Reading and Basingstoke. Whilst the borough does not immediately adjoin the administrative boundary of Reading Borough Council, there is significant economic movement between authorities as Reading is both an employment and retail destination for residents of the borough. Ian Campbell General In the event that satisfactory long term housing supply provisions It is not considered at this stage that national cannot be agreed with Reading's neighbours and there is as a result government intervention will be required. The locally an impasse between neighbouring councils there is no four authorities of the Western Berkshire Housing considered and tenable plan to then seek government intervention to Market Area are making good progress on 1 Reading Borough Local Plan: Issues and Options Representations and Council Responses May 2017 resolve a locally and nationally unacceptable stale-mate. If this considering options for growth in the wider area. interpretation too is correct it will due to a failure of local leadership. Or, if Reading Council do have a practical policy in place to ensure they can deliver a sustainable local plan for the national interest, with if need be the intervention of the government, there is no mention of it. Which is the case? Environment General Any site allocations within Flood Zones 2, 3a and 3b will need to be Noted. Any development proposals in Flood Zones Agency sequentially tested in accordance with paragraphs 100 and 101 of the 2 and 3 has been subject to the Sequential Test NPPF. The aim of the sequential test is to steer new development to and, where necessary, the Exceptions Test. areas with the lowest probability of flooding. Development should not be allocated or permitted if there are reasonably available sites with a lower probability of flooding. The exception test in accordance with NPPF paragraphs 100 and 102 will also need to be applied to any site allocations where necessary. If you do have sites within Flood Zone 3a and they are more vulnerable, sites within Flood Zones 3a and 3b which are in the ‘essential infrastructure category or highly vulnerable and within Flood Zone 2 then you will need to be sure that these site pass the exception test at this stage sure you can be sure that the sites are deliverable and developable. There are three tables in the PPG you will need to be aware of when formulating your flood risk policy and looking at options for site allocations. Table 1 ‘Flood Zones’ sets out the different types of flood zones 1,2, 3a and 3b. Table 2 ‘Flood Risk vulnerability classification’ sets out which type of development falls within each vulnerability. Table 3 shows which of these vulnerabilities are acceptable in each flood zone. Please note that Table 3 should only be used after the application of the sequential test and the development will also have to have a satisfactory flood risk assessment. Highways General We would be concerned if any material increase in traffic were to occur Noted. Work on transport modelling is underway, England on the SRN as a result of planned growth in Reading without careful and this will include examining the implications consideration of mitigation measures. It is important that the Local for strategic road network. Plan provides the planning policy framework to ensure development cannot progress without the appropriate infrastructure in place. 2 Reading Borough Local Plan: Issues and Options Representations and Council Responses May 2017 When considering proposals for growth, any impacts on the SRN will need to be identified and mitigated as far as reasonably possible. We will support a local authority proposal that considers sustainable measures which manage down demand and reduces the need to travel. Infrastructure improvements on the SRN should only be considered as a last resort. Proposed new growth will need to be considered in the context of the cumulative impact from already proposed development on the M4. In general we are supportive of the approach set out in the consultation document. We will continue to engage with all parties to develop the Local Plan. Kidmore End General The Council has no concerns about the content of the published Noted. Parish Council documents. Mayor of General We stressed the importance of collaboration in our response to your Noted. London Duty to Co-operate Strategy. Reading is the largest city in close proximity to the west of London with a substantial level of economic The Council has continued to liaise with the activities and significant attractiveness for inward investment. Reading Mayor of London under the duty to co-operate. sits within the ‘Western Wedge’ Coordination Corridor extending from west London into the Thames Valley. These corridors are recognised in Policy 2.3 of the London Plan for the co-ordination of planning and investment. Within this context it may be useful to explore relevant economic linkages with London further. Oxford City General Whilst we have no comments to make at this time, we look forward to Noted. Council a continuing dialogue regarding the similar issues affecting both Oxford and Reading as outlined in our letter dated 5.11.2015 at the Duty to Cooperate Scoping Stage. South General On behalf of both South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Noted. Oxfordshire & Councils, I confirm that we have no comments to make about the Issues Vale of White and Options stage of the local plan. Horse District Councils Tilehurst Poor’s General At this stage, we do not comment on the detailed development Noted. Land Charity management policy criteria (including affordable housing provision) but our client reserves their position to do so within subsequent iterations of the emerging development plan as their emerging proposals for the 3 Reading Borough Local Plan: Issues and Options Representations and Council Responses May 2017 site evolve. Wokingham General This is an early stage of the Local Plan process and more detail will be Noted. These matters have been taken into Borough provided at the next stage of the process. Reading Borough Council account, and will continue to be considered Council therefore needs to take into consideration the impact of the Local Plan throughout the process, in liaison with on Wokingham Borough Council in terms of housing, cross-boundary Wokingham Borough Council and other partners. movement, infrastructure, jobs and transportation. Wokingham BC therefore requests that Reading Borough Council continues to consult with Wokingham Borough Council as work on the Local Plan progresses, through the Duty to Cooperate. Wycombe General We have no comments to make at this stage but would ask to be kept Noted. District Council informed on future progress. Dr Megan Question 1 In a rapidly globalising world, the aim of 'multi-culturalism' is beginning It is considered that reference to multiculturalism Aldrich to sound very dated and even slightly patronising; the old idea of remains valid in a Reading context, and the 'ethnic minorities' has been completely overturned by mass migration reference is retained. from a variety of locations and under a variety of circumstances. This needs re-thinking. Aviva Life and Question 1 Aviva welcomes the strategic vision that the Local Plan will continue to Noted. Pensions UK Ltd strengthen the role of central Reading and maintaining its role within the Thames Valley. John Booth Question 1 Assessed levels of housing growth for Berkshire pose a great threat to There is a clear, significant need for new housing environmental sustainability and quality of life. Every effort should be in Reading, and improving access to this most made to reduce these targets, particularly in the longer term. basic requirement should remain a very high priority. Boosting housing supply is a Reading should be a hub for the TV, but its 'strength' in relation to requirement of national policy. Doing so within other settlements should be set on long-term environmental an existing urban envelope provides the best sustainability criteria - reducing demand for travel, maintaining opportunity to provide homes in a sustainable countryside and agricultural potential.