H5 1b

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Object

Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031, Proposed Submission

Representation ID: 6093

Received: 01/11/2017

Respondent: william davis

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Representation Summary:

the Policy does not incorporate a demonstrated need within the district

Full text:

Part 1b of the policy requires all new development to meet the nationally described space standards. Whilst 5.9.3 of the Plan refers to this having been viability tested Government Policy also requires demonstration and justification of the 'need' for the space standards to be applied. The Policy therefore currently conflicts with national planning policy and is unsound.

The Written Ministerial Statement dated 25th March 2015 confirms that "the optional new national technical standards should only be required through any new Local Plan policies if they address a clearly evidenced need, and where their impact on viability has been considered, in accordance with the NPPG". So if the Council wishes to adopt the nationally described space standard then the Council should only do so by applying the criteria set out in the NPPG. The NPPG sets out that:
"Where a need for internal space standards is identified, local planning authorities should provide justification for requiring internal space policies. Local Planning Authorities should take account of the following areas need, viability and timing" (ID: 56-020-20150327) :-
* Need - It is incumbent on the Council to provide a local assessment evidencing the specific case justifying the inclusion of the nationally described space standard in its Local Plan policy. If it had been the Government's intention that generic statements justified adoption of the nationally described space standards then the logical solution would have been to incorporate the standards as mandatory via the Building Regulations which the Government has not done. The nationally described space standards should only be introduced on a "need to have" rather than a "nice to have" basis. The identification of a need for the nationally described space standard must be more than simply stating that in some cases the standard has not been met it should identify the harm caused or may be caused in the future. The Council has provided no specific evidence on health and wellbeing "

Object

Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031, Proposed Submission

Representation ID: 7421

Received: 16/11/2017

Respondent: Gladman Developments

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Representation Summary:

Policy H5 sets out that new housing development should meet nationally described space standards. The Written Ministerial Statement of 25th March 2015 confirms that the optional new national technical standards should only be required through Local Plans if they address a clearly evidenced need and where the impact on viability has been considered. It is therefore important that the Council has undertaken a local assessment which evidences the need for adoption of the
Nationally Described Space Standards rather than relying on circumstantial evidence. The Council do not seem to have undertaken such an assessment.

Full text:

Refer to attached document.