Object
Proposed Submission Development and Site Allocations (DaSA) Local Plan
Representation ID: 24434
Received: 07/12/2018
Respondent: Persimmon Homes Ltd
Agent: Savills
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Yes
This policy is objected to. The provision of 5-10% of the number of dwellings on a development site to be provided as plots for self and custom housebuilders is contrary to national policy. National Planning Policy Guidance states that local authorities should look to use their own land, engage with landowners who own sites, and work with custom build developers to maximise opportunities. While the PPG notes that increasing the proportion of self-build plots through policy is also a suitable avenue to pursue, it would be contrary to the guidance as a whole to enforce a percentage of plots, when guidance encourages a more co-operative process of engagement as opposed to imposition.
Irrespective of the contradictions with National Guidance, the policy is fundamentally unsound as there is insufficient evidence to support the provision of such a level of plots for self-build. If the Council believes that there is a level of unmet need and that policy must be implemented in order for it to be addressed, there needs to be sufficient evidence to support the provision of plots and that such provision will be taken up by those seeking to self-build.
Please see attached full representation for further information.
Policy DHG6: Self-build and Custom Housebuilding (Objection)
Policy DHG6 sets out that the Council will "support Self and Custom Housebuilding projects subject to compliance with other relevant Local Plan policies" and that "On sites of 20 or more dwellings, provision for 5-10% of the total number of dwellings to be provided should be made available as serviced plots for self and custom housebuilders."
This policy is objected to, as the provision of 5-10% of the number of dwellings on a development site to be provided as plots for self and custom housebuilders is contrary to national policy. National Planning Policy Guidance Paragraph: 025 Reference ID: 57-025-201760728 provides guidance on how Local Authorities can increase planning permissions for self-build and custom housebuilding. This states that local authorities should look to use their own land, engage with landowners who own sites (encouraging them to consider self-build and custom housebuilding), and working with custom build developers to maximise opportunities. It is acknowledged that the PPG states that increasing the proportion of self-build plots through policy is also noted as a suitable avenue to pursue, but It would be contrary to the guidance as a whole to enforce a percentage of plots to be brought forward as self-build housing, when guidance encourages a more co-operative process of engagement as opposed to imposition.
Irrespective of the contradictions with National Guidance, the policy is fundamentally unsound as there is insufficient evidence provided to supports the provision of such a level of plots for self-build. If the Council believes that there is a level of unmet need and that policy must be implemented in order for it to be addressed, then there needs to be sufficient evidence to support both the provision of plots but also evidence that such a provision will be taken up by those seeking to self-build.
Please see attached full representation for further information.
Highway Access report:
http://www.rother.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=31171
Preston Farm Hall Representations report
http://www.rother.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=31172