Object

Representation ID: 4436

Received: 18/12/2008

Respondent: Martin Dawn Plc

Agent: Savills

We acknowledge that this policy appropriately for the Core Strategy sets out broad areas for release of Greenfield land and does not identify specific sites.

On behalf of our client, Martin Dawn Plc, we responded to the Call for Sites consultation in February 2007 in respect of land to the rear of Southview Close (copy of letter and site plan attached). We were recently told by the Policy Team Leader, Samuel Hollingworth, that this site could form part of the land referred to in Policy
H2 as South West Rayleigh. However, from reviewing the Core Strategy Key Diagram and noting the position of the dark purple triangle indicating the release of the land in South West Rayleigh we are concerned as there seems to be no possibility that land to the rear of South View Close can be included within this broad location.

South / South East Rayleigh is identified as an alternative option for release of greenfield land but the Core Strategy report states that is not preferred in order to avoid the coalescence of Rayleigh with Southend. Land to the rear of South View Close in my opinion lies to the South East of Rayleigh and the current H2 Preferred
Policy therefore omits this site from future housing development contrary to advice received from the Council. On behalf of my client I would like to reiterate that land to the rear of South View Close is in a sustainable
location, within walking distance of local schools, public transport and close to Rayleigh Town Centre, employment locations and other local amenities. The site does not clearly contribute to the five functions of including land within the Green Belt as set out in Planning Policy Guidance 2 Green Belts January 1995. The release of this site for housing will not lead to the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas. There is a stream running across the site which creates a natural barrier and could become the defensible boundary to the Green Belt. The release of this site would therefore not undermine the Council's approach of protecting the town's identity and preventing coalescence with Southend. It is therefore important that there is reference
to the broad location of this site in the Core Strategy to ensure that it is not precluded from contributing to the Council's housing supply. This land can contribute to housing units by 2015.