* With or without the Link Road, the house building target will not meet housing need. The Core Strategy will not be in conformity with the Regional Plan, nor reflect key evidence that supported the Plan.

* Para 7.22 states that the South East Plan target is no longer sustainable - two reasons cited for this are the Link Road delay and the downturn. Instead of 'sustainable', 'feasible' may be a more appropriate description. If the Link Road is not built then the South East Plan target would in all likelihood be unsustainable but a decision on funding the road is awaited. Whilst the Council says the downturn raises doubts as to whether the South East Plan target for the District can be met, the Plan horizon is to 2028. There is a risk therefore that the Council is taking too short term a view.

* House building levels are presented as a range. In para. 8.55 it is explained this provides flexibility, it allows site specific circumstances to be reflected and it acknowledges general uncertainties regarding future growth. There are other ways of dealing with such factors without having to resort to presenting a range of provision eg. in allowing for an overall contingency provision.