Core Strategy Issues & Options

Comment

Representation ID: 18505

Received: 30/11/2006

Respondent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Agent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

'Rother in profile' is considered to be well written and informative. The themes and key issues are well defined.

Economic weakness, the lack of affordable housing and poor connectivity all need to be addressed in the emerging core strategy.

Partnership with, and encouragement of, the private sector is key.

Many local authorities, after years trying to keep development out of their areas, now recognise the stagnation such a protectionist approach produces and are embracing a growth strategy which can bring with it urban renewal as well as increasing employment, housing and general prosperity.

A similar approach is commended.

Comment

Representation ID: 18506

Received: 30/11/2006

Respondent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Agent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Many local authorities, after years trying to keep development out of their areas, now recognise the stagnation such a protectionist approach produces and are embracing a growth strategy which can bring with it urban renewal as well as increasing employment, housing and general prosperity.

Uncertainty can be addressed through the plan monitor and manage approach providing the Council identifies sufficient land for development in the first place and then phases its release in a timely fashion based on the results of accurate annual monitoring

Comment

Representation ID: 18507

Received: 30/11/2006

Respondent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Agent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

The present local plan aims and the refinements proposed are all laudable but rather vague.

The core strategy might wish to identify indicators (outputs) that could be used to enable progress to be measured.

Comment

Representation ID: 18508

Received: 30/11/2006

Respondent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Agent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Particular types of housing -
Housing needs surveys should include the need for market as well as affordable housing. Better dissemination of the results of these surveys could help guide the industry.

The reports could be circulated (in the form of newsletter to local agents, developers?) They can then respond to a particular need. e.g. if the housing survey shows the need for a sheltered housing in a particular location, the market should be made aware of it and thus have the opportunity to provide.

Comment

Representation ID: 18509

Received: 30/11/2006

Respondent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Agent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Infrastructure
We are promoting the concept of 'deficit planning'. At present allocations for development avoid areas where there are infrastructure deficits e.g. highway, drainage, flooding problems or contamination etc.

Allocations are often directed to areas where there is spare capacity which means it gets used up, often at no cost to the developer.

Deficit planning starts with a different question, namely 'Where are there problems in the District that additional development might resolve?

Developer funded by passes are an example of deficit planning. We feel that the idea could be used more widely to secure infrastructure improvements.

Comment

Representation ID: 18510

Received: 30/11/2006

Respondent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Agent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

see response to question 6 (see representation 18509)

Development allocations can be required to include missing facilities in rural locations eg village hall, meeting room etc (or even missing mains drainage if large enough) and thus produce more of a win win outcome.

Comment

Representation ID: 18511

Received: 30/11/2006

Respondent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Agent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

general principles appropriate and accord with Government advice. Exceptions can be considered where wider community benefits can be provided as part of the development.

Comment

Representation ID: 18512

Received: 30/11/2006

Respondent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Agent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

The overall level of development is outside of the Council's control and will be determined through the Regional Spatial Strategy/South East plan.

The core strategy will need to be sufficiently flexible to respond to the higher levels of growth that are likely to emerge through the examination of the South East Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 18513

Received: 30/11/2006

Respondent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Agent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Scenario B is the only option that will achieve the step change in housing supply that the Government seeks.

Comment

Representation ID: 18514

Received: 30/11/2006

Respondent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Agent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Battle has some potential for additional further housing growth above recent trend rates.

It has a higher rail passenger 'footfall' than anywhere else in the District other than Bexhill (see page 14 Rother in Profile)

Development could help fund the provision of safer cycle routes and help bring forward the second primary school.