D. Retain the current affordable homes requirement of 35% where a scheme meets the prescribed threshold, subject to viability

On behalf of Southern & Regional Developments, Claremont Planning recognises the purpose and importance of delivering mixed communities; in turn providing affordable housing at appropriate levels within development schemes. However, the apparent under-provision of affordable units within the District does not demonstrate policy success, rather that an inconsistent application of policy has thwarted its effectiveness. This is not to say that the original policy levels and method of provision is ineffectual.

Proportion - Option D is the most appropriate to pursue, as there is clearly an issue in implementing the affordable policy currently given the acknowledged affordable homes shortfall by the Council. To ensure emerging policy is effective, the LPA should demonstrate that it can maximise the current threshold of 35% of affordable homes before assessing as to whether to increase this proportion. The delivery of higher proportions of affordable units should be considered a material benefit of a potential scheme.

My practice are specialists in preparing Viability reports for planning. From my experience in council area where larger percentages of affordable housing are required there is a greater chance that the viability will be challenged. Without grant for affordable housing even on greenfield sites viability can be challenged at levels over 35% as it takes very little to make them unviabile.

Rochford Parish Council welcomes the opportunity to comment on this Document and whilst fully supporting the Strategic Priorities and Objectives of the Vision wonder whether the vision is, in its own right, rather long.

The council would support the following options which the document identifies.

6.30 C
6.31 B
6.32 D
6.33 B
6.36 B
6.48 E
6.58 C
6.59 F
6.60 H
6.78 B
6.86 B
6.96 B & C
6.111 A & F
6.117 A & D
6.128 A & B
7.20 C
7.27 A & B
8.20 B (Councillors have concerns that option C would be unable to accommodate significant increases in traffic flow without a major infrastructure investment.
8.21 A
8.37 B & C
8.44 B
8.58 C
8.66 B
8.75 A
9.11 D
9.15 B
9.29 A, B, D & E
9.36 B
9.42 A, B, C & D
9.50 A
9.61 A
10.16 B
10.27 A
10.28 G
10.29 H
10.34 B
10.44 C & D
10.52 A
10.62 C
10.63 J
10.72 B
11.5 G
11.12 B
11.19 B
11.27 A
11.36 A
11.40 B
11.44 A
11.49 A
11.53 B
11.57 A & B
11.61 C
11.65 B
11.72 A (Councillors would like to see this strengthened especially in relation to advertising on residential property.
11.76 B
11.81 A

A long document so I will keep to some brief feedback via email instead

1.3 - option D - but additionally it would also be good to see some council investment into social/affordable housing
D. Retain the current affordable homes requirement of 35%
The threshold and requirement for affordable homes varies across South Essex. we need to ensure that the majority of future schemes can deliver as many affordable homes as possible without undermining the viability of any scheme.

1.6 - option E - this makes perfect sense and has worked well on the past
E. A new settlement
The Government has already expressed support for ten new garden towns and cities and 14 new garden villages. We are required to consider all reasonable options to deliver new homes within in our area. There is an opportunity to consider, and potentially deliver, a new, sustainable settlement in the district, supported by necessary infrastructure, although this would depend on
developing a range of evidence.

Referring to the 'call for sites' appendix - my clients moments follow;

Site CFS060
Lack of infrastructure to support a site of this size
Local schools at capacity
Local medical/health care at capacity
Poor connectivity (an issue with increase in more home businesses/home working)
Lack of local employment opportunities to support this size of development
No suitable access point to this site.
Existing Sewerage system is at capacity
Will encroach on the character of existing open community space - Little Wakering Recreation Ground

CFS115/SER9
Lack of infrastructure to support a site of this size
Local schools at capacity
Local medical/health care at capacity
Poor connectivity (an issue with increase in more home businesses/home working)
Lack of local employment opportunities to support this size of development
No suitable access point to this site.
Existing Sewerage system is at capacity
Main access road is Barrow Hall Road - already issues with this road due to narrowness

CFS153
This site is In flood zone 3 - refer environment agency flood map

CFS011

This site is in flood zone 3 - refer environment agency flood map
CFS056

This site is in flood zone 3 - refer environment agency flood map

CFS011
This site is in flood zone 3 - refer environment agency flood map

CFS065
This site borders flood zone 3 which is currently under review. As this development plan is up to 2037, there will be further reviews on flood ears and based on percentage increase in previous reviews - there is a high probability this will be included within zone 3
Lack of infrastructure to support a site of this size
Local medical/health care at capacity
Local schools at capacity
Poor connectivity (an issue with increase in more home businesses/home working)
Lack of local employment opportunities to support this size of development

CFS070
This site borders flood zone 3 which is currently under review
Lack of infrastructure to support a site of this size
Local medical/health care at capacity
Local schools at capacity
Poor connectivity (an issue with increase in more home businesses/home working)
Lack of local employment opportunities to support this size of development

CFS057 & BFR1
Lack of infrastructure to support a site of this immense size
Local schools at capacity
Local medical/health care at capacity
Poor connectivity (an issue with increase in more home businesses/home working & also for industrial units)
There needs to be a balance of local employment opportunities to support this size of development
Loss of buffer from neighbouring southend (Would suggest for the industrial site to relocate to poynters lane end to maintain a buffer)