Object

Representation ID: 666

Received: 02/07/2007

Respondent: Trinity College

Agent: Bidwells

The Preferred Option as set out is a statement of intent. It does not address the real issues of how the District will accommodate housing growth, other than setting out a percentage within certain locations. There is no robust evidence base provided to justify the percentages or the housing numbers set out. Both should be based on an Urban Capacity Study and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment. There is little explanation as to why other options have been discounted particularly given the lack of sustainability appraisal for this document and there is no indication of how these percentages are to be taken forward. The Core Strategy should not leave the question of the general allocation of the level of housing to settlements open on the grounds that this can only be done once housing sites have been identified in a Site Allocation DPD. Strategic Core Strategy Documents should be sufficiently detailed to enable proper identification of the options or even progression of planning applications for strategic sites to be progressed in advance of the Site Specific Allocations Document. Neither the Key Diagram nor the text or policies achieve this objective. The Council have embarked on an exercise of identifying sites but this information has not been used to properly inform options for delivering growth for the Core Strategy. The Strategy should be driving the allocation of sites not the other way around. In this way, where it is clear that there are certain sites, key to the delivery of the overall Strategy, then it is entirely appropriate for such sites to be mentioned in the Core Strategy.Land north of AshingdonIt is noted that the settlements listed for expansion include 1,000 for Rochford and Ashingdon. It is considered that land at Rectory Farm, identified as Site 50 in the Sites Put Forward for Consideration in the Preparation of the Allocations Document, should form part of the consideration of options.The land is adjacent to established housing in certain areas. Overall, the developed northern edge of the settlement appears rather fragmented where, in places, there is no distinct line between the built up area and the countryside beyond.Although currently beyond the built up area of Ashingdon, taken with other land in the vicinity, there is an opportunity for an urban extension as a means of meeting housing requirements. The implementation of appropriate structural landscaping and open space uses will provide an appropriate urban extension with possibilities for enhancing the urban edge as part of a necessary review of the Green Belt designation in this location.This land is considered to be within a sustainable location close to bus routes to and from Rochford and beyond; three junior/infants schools and with 2.5km of Rochford town centre with its range of shops and leisure opportunities as well as the railway stations at Rochford and Hockley. There is potential for open space/recreational land to be provided to improve the open space in Rochford District. The release of the areas south of Ashingdon Road and east of Fambridge Road for development has the advantage of being well related to the existing form and character of development. Opportunities exist on the northern most parcels, beyond Rectory Farm to provide structural landscaping and open space to contribute to the Council's requirements, improve the built up edge of the settlement, and enhance the landscape and Green Belt.The proposed urban extension could provide elements of the following:§ Residential - 33 hectares§ Strategic Open Space - 19.5 hectares§ Employment/mixed uses/communities facilities - 5 hectaresA residential allocation could accommodate up to 1,000 dwellings including the provision of affordable housing to meet local needs. The intention would be to create a new neighbourhood with associated community facilities, including new primary school, if necessary, to meet the needs of the development. Mixed commercial employment uses would be desirable to provide a balanced neighbourhood with strategic open space and structural landscaping to serve the needs and amenities of the wider community.