Comment

Representation ID: 28430

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Bellway Homes Limited

Agent: PB Planning

Green Belt Assessment - View of Bellway Homes

We provide below a summary of our assessment of the site against the five Green Belt purposes identified in Paragraph 134 of the National Planning Policy Framework:

The development of the site would not result in unrestricted urban sprawl

The development of the site would not result in the merging of adjacent settlements.

The site does not assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment.

The proposed development of the site will have no detrimental effect on the setting and special character of historic features.

The fifth purpose of Green Belt (to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land) is a general purpose which will not be adversely affected by the site rather than any other being removed from the Green Belt.

The site allocation details set out within the Preferred Options Local Plan identify one of the development considerations being the “provision of compensatory improvements to the surrounding Green Belt”. We would like to discuss the details behind this text with the Council further prior to the publication of future versions of the Local Plan in order to ensure that any requirements attached to the allocation are site-specific; explicitly worded; deliverable; and in accordance with the guidance presented in Paragraph: 002 Reference ID: 64-002-20190722 of Planning Practice Guidance.
To this regard, Bellway believe that specific reference could be made to the landscape, recreational and biodiversity opportunities that the Indicative Masterplan for the site seeks to deliver.