Comment

Development and Site Allocations (DaSA) Local Plan - Options and Preferred Options

Representation ID: 22378

Received: 19/02/2017

Respondent: Salehurst & Robertsbridge Parish Council

Representation Summary:

Support principle of neighbourhood planning and especially 5.1 Note: Robertsbridge NP reached 'Stage 4'.
Lack of policy:
* to confirm need for investment in Green Infrastructure Network;
* to assist in reuse of contaminated land, which should require updating work on RDC monitored Register of Contaminated Land.

Should improve CS Transport policies e.g. TRI(iv) re capacity/capability of improvement: should refer to e.g. station infrastructure, including on-site parking.

Little evidence of support for maintenance and improvement of bridleways/footpaths, needed in pursuit of improved health, and leisure. Suggest policy positively supporting development of improved footpaths/bridleways, ensuring new development connects path networks.

Full text:

The PC supports the principle of neighbourhood planning and the confirmation in 5.1 that once adopted, a NP has the same status as local plans. It is to be noted that the Robertsbridge NP has moved on to 'Stage 4'.

We have referred where we felt it relevant, to the lack of policies introduced in this DaSA, given that the opportunity has been taken to update and improve core policies adopted in the 2014 Core Strategy. We have referred to the lack of policy:
* to confirm the need for investment in the Green Infrastructure Network; and
* to assist in the reuse of contaminated land, which should require updating work being done on the RDC monitored Register of Contaminated Land.

We also feel that the Transport policies of the Core Strategy could be improved. For example TRI(iv) where it talks about capacity and capability of improvement, should specifically refer to such matters as station infrastructure, including on-site parking provision.

Also, there is little evidence of support for the maintenance and improvement of bridleways and footpaths, which are needed in the pursuit of improved health for all and improvement in leisure capacity. We suggest a policy which positively supports the development of improved footpaths and bridleways, ensuring that any new development has connections with the foot and bridle path network where this is possible.