Policy H1 is neither justified nor effective. We strongly support the need to re-use previously developed land when seeking to deliver the District's housing requirements. Nevertheless, policy H1 should also recognise the suitability of redeveloping previously developed land that falls outside the settlement boundaries where sites are sustainably located close to existing community facilities and services. The Council has given inadequate time or opportunity for stakeholders to review and comment on the contents and recommendations of the SHLAA.

The Core Strategy is likely to be ineffective due to the considerable difficulties in actually delivering the redevelopment of Rawreth Lane Industrial Estate, Eldon Way/Foundary Industrial Estate, Stambridge Mills and Star Lane Industrial Estate. There are few guarantees that these sites will be released for alternative uses. The Core Strategy is unsound in seeking to displace these existing employment uses to Greenfield sites, particularly where those sites are located in the Green Belt.

Supporting document received Council ref AE23


It is recommended that the following wording should be provided at policy H1:

'The Council will prioritise the reuse of previously developed land both within and outside settlement boundaries and ensure the delivery of appropriate sites identified by the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment'.