The Draft SDC Local Plan seeks to deliver a number of new homes that falls below what is required to meet objectively assessed needs. As a minimum this is would be 1,258 dwellings. However, if a 20% buffer were to be applied, as is considered justified in this instance, SDC would have a shortfall against the Standard Methodology of at least 3,552 homes, assuming that all identified sites are allocated. This is a considerable shortfall and will only compound the issue of affordability and lack of available homes for the community. Furthermore, those sites which are currently proposed for allocation, and which subsequently form part of SDC’s housing calculations, are only being consulted upon and as SDC makes clear in the draft Plan, there is no guarantee that these will transpire to formal allocations. As a result, the shortfall would be considerably greater if sites are to fall away. It is therefore evident that SDC needs to allocate more sites to deliver the new homes and development needed in this District. There are not sufficient brownfield sites in the District, either inside of defined settlements or in the Green Belt, to meet these needs. Neighbouring authorities also cannot help address the shortfall against needs, given their own restrictions, own constraints and failure to meet their own housing land supply. As a result, Green Belt, exceptional circumstances sites need to be considered and allocated. The Site at Sidney Gardens represents a good opportunity to help address needs and deliver additional much needed housing. The site is well contained by defensible features such as transport infrastructure, and dense woodland preventing development from sprawling from the site, or settlement further into the countryside. It is subject to no other landscape designations unlike much other land within the District, some of which is proposed for allocation by SDC. These representations have demonstrated that the site is deliverable, should benefit from an allocation in the emerging Plan. This will help to demonstrate that the Plan has been positively prepared and is consistent with national policy. These are the two key tests of soundness which SDC must ensure are passed.I would be grateful if these representations and the appended Vision Framework can be taken into account in the Plan making process. If any further information on the site is required, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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