The proposed designation of a Green Wedge between Thurnby / Bushby and Scraptoft adjacent to the area of committed housing development to the north east of Bushby (as identified on the Proposals Map Inset Map 63 - Scraptoft, Thurnby, Bushby) is objected to.

Whilst the western part of this area has previously been designated as an Area of Separation that sought to prevent coalescence of Scraptoft with Thurnby and Bushby (Core Strategy Policy EV/3 and Scraptoft Neighbourhood Plan Policy S7), the proposed Green Wedge extends significantly further eastwards. No justification for that is given in the Local Plan or the supporting evidence. Indeed, the recently adopted Scraptoft Neighbourhood Plan (Adopted March 2016) only sought to retain the Area of Separation immediately east of Station Lane (although part of this area has since been incorporated into a committed development site).

Moreover, there is no evidence presented to justify this new designation in terms of the specific merits of this area in relation to the express purposes of a Green Wedge designation. The HLP refers (para 4.13.4) to the Green Wedge Review (Draft Technical Update 2015) but that only considers the redesignation of the extant area of Green Wedge to the south of the existing urban area of Bushby.

In considering the four specific aims set out in Part 1 of this policy, the designation of this Green Wedge and extension of the area of protection in this way is not necessary to prevent the merging of settlements or to guide the form of development. In addition, the committed developments in this location provide appropriate connections between the urban area and the surrounding countryside, incorporating key publics rights of way and providing significant recreational opportunities without adding pressure or undermining the function of the wider area.

As such the designation of this area is neither necessary nor justified. Moreover, there are sufficient policies within the HLP to appropriately guide development form without the need for further restrictive measures.

Soundness
For the reasons set out above, Bloor Homes object to Policy GD7, which is considered unsound on the basis that it:
- is not justified in that it is not the most appropriate strategy and has not properly considered reasonable alternative strategies.

Proposed Change
Delete the Green Wedge designation that applies to the area between Thurnby / Bushby and Scraptoft.