Comment

Representation ID: 17659

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes

Agent: ID Planning

Whilst we support the Council’s strategy that the majority of housing should be distributed to the Regional City, the distribution of 73% of the LHN requirement to this area is too high and negatively impacts on the distribution to the wider district and other settlements. The proposed distribution to the Regional City and in particular the Bradford City Centre and Shipley and Canal Road Corridor areas is unrealistic given there are significant challenges in terms of deliverability and viability. The quantum of housing proposed would require a significant step change in housing delivery in these areas. To rely on the quantum of housing coming forward as proposed by the preferred option distribution presents a high risk that the plan will not deliver the housing requirement and also impact on the Council’s ability to demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply. The proposed delivery in the city and urban area should be achieved by the application of the 35% uplift which would provide the growth in these areas without detracting from sustainable growth of the wider district.
Required Change
Whilst the Regional City should be the main focus for housing delivery in the absence of the 35% uplift being applied the quantum of housing should be reduced to a more realistic level (60%) and additional houses distributed to Principal Towns and Local Growth Centres such as Steeton where there are not the deliverability constraints and where the delivery of additional houses in these settlements is realistic. This approach will ensure the housing requirement and the plan is deliverable.
Overall, however, we object to the 35% uplift being excluded as this would provide the preferred growth strategy for the urban areas whilst also ensure and maintain a balanced distribution of housing growth to meet identified needs in the wider district and sustainable settlements.