2.1 states "The Council will always work proactively with applicants jointly to find solutions which mean that proposals can be approved wherever possible, and to secure development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions in the area". This presumption of development of green-field sites and in areas of AONB will not be supported by long term economic growth. There have been no definitive indications of employers actively seeking to base themselves in Robertsbridge and there has been no report issued by RDC showing such employment growth in Robertsbridge. Within the Conservatives Green Paper 2010, they suggest that the short term end to the current recession will be aided by the Construction industry and these modifications follow on that train of thought. The problems that exist within the UK housing market are low stagnant wages, over-inflated house prices and excessive rents. Mortgages are out of the reach now of the average UK salary being £16,034 pa (ONS) with a loan to value rate of 80%. Without strong & stable employment, house prices including rented accommodation will be severely restrictive for most UK households. Renting averages in TN32 postcodes ranges from 1 bedroom houses at £576 pcm, 2 bedroom at £713 pcm and 3-4 bedroom houses from £1,048- £1,500 (ONS & Home Market statistics) Central government and the Council have not made a clear & reasonable economic reason for such increases in house supply which is contrary to the NPPF.
MP Greg Clark writes "In part, people have been put off from getting involved because planning policy itself has become so elaborate and forbidding - the preserve of specialists, rather than people in communities. This National Planning Policy Framework changes that. By replacing over a thousand pages of national policy with around fifty, written simply and clearly, We are allowing people and planning"
The current modifications and government agenda are exclusive in its design since only 40% of development is for affordable (housing association) and therefore is not sustainable in the long term and will only seek to exacerbate the stresses already seen in the economy & environment. Definitive proof must be provided to show water supply, flooding and the associated costs to individual households have been addressed. At present they have not.