Policy SS1 sets out the spatial strategy for HDC up to 2031, including directing development to appropriate locations in accordance with the proposed settlement hierarchy. Parts 1a-1f are generally supported, insofar as they seek to direct growth to the most sustainable locations in the district in accordance with relevant provisions of the NPPF. This includes development to part of the Leicester Principal Urban Area, Sub-regional Centres, Key Centres, and rural centres including the Kibworths. A summary of this settlement hierarchy is set out as follows:
* Leicester Principle Urban Area (Scraptoft, Thurnby & Bushby) ;
* Sub regional centre - Market Harborough ;
* Key centres - Lutterworth & Broughton Astley ;
* 7 rural centres - including the Kibworths;
* 16 selected rural villages ;
* Other villages, rural settlements & countryside (where development is strictly controlled).

This policy seeks to enable housing and commercial development over the plan period, including a minimum 12,800 dwellings. This includes circa 7,915 dwellings through completions or commitments, including through neighbourhood plan allocations. The Plan proposes circa 1,500 dwellings in a strategic development area (SDA) east of Lutterworth, and an additional 1,200 dwellings at the Scraptoft North SDA, and circa 1,170 dwellings allocated elsewhere in the Plan.

Bullet 3 to Policy SS1 outlines that the Plan will bring forward strategic development areas at East of Lutterworth and Scraptoft North, and ensure that they become well-planned, high quality living environments and that they support the maintenance and improvement of employment areas, shopping centres and community facilities both within them and nearby.

Whilst our client does not wish to explicitly comment on the merits or otherwise of individual sites proposed for allocation, a key issue of soundness for any local plan is whether the proposed housing allocations are deliverable and likely to result in the required level of completions.

The experience of strategic allocations is that there is a very long lead in period before housing completions commence. Reliance on only two strategic allocation potentially reduces the robustness of the plan in the event that either of these allocations is not developed as anticipated in the local plan policies.

The advantage of relying on more than two strategic allocations, is that whilst such sites are unlikely to contribute to supply in the short term such as five year supply, there is a greater likelihood of strategic allocations making a significant contribution to housing completions for the remainder of the plan period including helping to meet the unmet need arising from both Leicester City Council or Oadby & Wigston District Council.

To ensure that the plan is positively prepared and stands the best chance of meeting identified housing need, the Council should consider the allocation of developable reserve sites together with a suitable mechanism to allow their release during the plan period, as may be necessary.