Regulation 19 - Proposed Draft Local Plan Submission

Support

Representation ID: 13695

Received: 06/05/2025

Respondent: Bloor Homes

Agent: Stantec UK Ltd

Bloor Homes support Harborough District Council in undertaking the review of the Local Plan and welcome
the inclusion of S2 as a draft allocation. Bloor Homes consider that a higher housing figure should be provided within the Local Plan to address Harborough’s needs, Leicester and Leicestershire’s unmet needs, and the affordability needs within the District. On this basis, whilst S2 is proposed as a draft allocation for 175 dwellings, it is worth noting that Land at Beeby Road has the capacity to deliver up to 200 dwellings. The provision of an additional 25 dwellings onsite will help meet the needs within Harborough District.

Support

Representation ID: 13696

Received: 06/05/2025

Respondent: Bloor Homes

Agent: Stantec UK Ltd

On whole, Bloor Homes support the vision for the draft Local Plan and its timely adoption. New development complementing the established townscape, in sustainable locations adjacent to existing development, Scraptoft being classified as a settlement adjoining the Leicester Urban Area, that residents will shape new development are specifically supported.

Support

Representation ID: 13697

Received: 06/05/2025

Respondent: Bloor Homes

Agent: Stantec UK Ltd

On the whole, Bloor Homes support the Local Plan objectives in principle and their ability to meet the longer-term vision for Leicester and Leicestershire. It is considered that the development proposals at Land at Beeby Road (S2) contributes significantly towards meeting the development objectives and regard should be had to this by the Council.

Object

Representation ID: 13698

Received: 06/05/2025

Respondent: Bloor Homes

Agent: Stantec UK Ltd

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

The Council have not planned for sufficient levels of housing supply or growth in the Plan period. The Council need to plan for 1,176 dwellings per annum to account for evidenced local housing needs, affordable housing needs, and the unmet needs of Leicester and Leicestershire, rather than the proposed 657 dwellings per year between 2020 to 2036 and 534 dwellings per year between 2036 to 2041
Increase the capacity of Site S2 from 175 dwellings to 200 dwellings, given the Site is evidenced to be the most suitable and sustainable location for development in Scraptoft. This would also contribute an additional 25 dwellings towards the evidenced needs for 1,176 dwellings

Object

Representation ID: 13699

Received: 06/05/2025

Respondent: Bloor Homes

Agent: Stantec UK Ltd

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Bloor Homes consider that the policy as drafted is not justified as it does not reflect evidenced based needs. Whilst Bloor Homes broadly support in principle the draft allocation of S2 in the draft Local Plan, they do not consider it is justified or based on sound evidence. Bloor Homes therefore wish to see the allocation increased to 200 dwellings and wish to comment further on draft allocation S2 through the draft Local Plan process.

Object

Representation ID: 13700

Received: 06/05/2025

Respondent: Bloor Homes

Agent: Stantec UK Ltd

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

The provision of 40% affordable housing onsite is supported. In terms of the tenure split, the provision of 75% affordable / social rented and 25% affordable is broadly supported, although this needs to be expressed with flexibility to allow for change over time.

Object

Representation ID: 13701

Received: 06/05/2025

Respondent: Bloor Homes

Agent: Stantec UK Ltd

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Bloor Homes wish to emphasise that the densities included within the policy should be viewed as a minimum. Bloor Homes therefore do not support policy HN03 as currently drafted on the basis that it fails to accord with the tests set out at paragraph 36d of the NPPF and the need to use land efficiently. Bloor Homes consider that the proposed minimum density for policy HN03 should be increased to 35dph

Object

Representation ID: 13702

Received: 06/05/2025

Respondent: Bloor Homes

Agent: Stantec UK Ltd

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Whilst we acknowledge that the evidence prepared fails to justify the need for 10% specialist housing onsite and also doesn’t make reference to the need for 5% specialist housing, Bloor Homes consider that a quantum of 5% is more reasonable and will be better accommodated within development sites. A quantum of 5% is also considered suitable given the evidence confirms that there is no standard methodology for assessing the housing care needs of older people

Object

Representation ID: 13703

Received: 06/05/2025

Respondent: Bloor Homes

Agent: Stantec UK Ltd

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

The requirement for 10% is considered excessive, even when considering the volume of permissions and registrations. Given the rate of demand, as well as other sites within the District and the draft allocations listed in the Draft Local Plan, the availability of plots would significantly exceed demand. This would result in plots sitting vacant for extended periods of time which can lead to a range of issues such as security and fly tipping.
The cascade mechanism, whilst it is positive to see, in reality this mechanism is not supported due to the build out implications and phased approach of the development. The requirement for properties to remain unsold for a period of 18 months is excessive, 12 months is more suitable.
The need for a specific design code for these plots is excessive, and will potentially cause delay, and the policy fails to specify who would be responsible for preparing the design code and what the process for this would entail.

Object

Representation ID: 13704

Received: 06/05/2025

Respondent: Bloor Homes

Agent: Stantec UK Ltd

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

The wording of the policy and accessibility standards prevent sites been considered on a site by site basis. The Open Space Strategy is considered to be out of date. An updated version of the Open Spaces Strategy should have been prepared in support of the evidence base for the Draft Local Plan.
Whilst the open space standards are helpful and provide guidance on the quantum’s that are considered necessary for development, these standards do not provide any flexibility and fail to have regard to individual schemes. For example, should a development not provide all of the above open space typologies listed in the table, but provide an excess of some typologies, it is considered that due regard should be had to this by the Council and the wider application merits should considered in the balance.