Regulation 19 - Proposed Draft Local Plan Submission

Object

Representation ID: 13663

Received: 05/05/2025

Respondent: TERRA

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Omission: Land to north if London Road and the A6, Oadby (cross boundary of Oadby and Harborough)

Terra Strategic politely requests that these representations are taken into consideration. Land to the north of London Road and the A6, Oadby is readily available and deliverable within the desired timeframe. Terra recommend that the Council include the site within the emerging plan as an allocation for residential development.

Object

Representation ID: 13666

Received: 05/05/2025

Respondent: TERRA

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

The emerging Local Plan currently covers the period of 2020 to 2041. Terra considers that the plan should cover a
period of 15 years from the adoption of the plan, in line with NPPF Strategic Policies. To ensure that the Plan covers 15 years on adoption, the Plan is required to be adopted in 2026. In the unlikely event that this is not possible, Terra suggests that the Plan period should be extended until at least 2042, allowing for any delays in adoption.

Support

Representation ID: 13668

Received: 05/05/2025

Respondent: TERRA

Land South of Gartree Road is identified within the Local Plan as a cross-boundary new residential-led mixed-use development to deliver circa 3,150 new homes within Harborough District (and 4,000 overall with the remainder being delivered within Oadby). Terra wholly support the inclusion of this site as a strategic allocation for the delivery of much needed housing on the edge of the urban area.

Land to the north of London Road and the A6, which Terra are promoting, is surrounded by the proposed allocation to the north and the east. The site is available and suitable for an allocation within the emerging Local Plan and Terra consider that the allocation should be extended to include this land and that the allocation figure should in turn be increased. This will help achieve the vision of the Local Plan and help boost the delivery of housing within the District, in line with the aspirations of the national government for the significant delivery of new homes in sustainable places.

Support

Representation ID: 13669

Received: 05/05/2025

Respondent: TERRA

Terra agrees with the requirement for affordable housing to be delivered within new developments of 10 units and over.

The wording on Policy HN01 (f) is one which is onerous and does not allow for an alternative, preferable specification to be negotiated between parties. Therefore, we suggest that the reading of (f) should be altered to read as Developers are expected to make efficient use of land and attempts to artificially reduce the scale of development to below the threshold for providing affordable housing will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This allows for developments to reduce the scale of their development in order to provide community beneficial facilities, such as larger play space for local and future residents to enjoy.

Support

Representation ID: 13670

Received: 05/05/2025

Respondent: TERRA

Terra agree with the requirement for all housing to meet M4(2) Building Regulations in keeping with national technical standards.

The requirement for accessible homes within developments is something which Terra support, in principle.

Policy HN02 conforms to paragraph 135 (f) of the NPPF 2024, which states that developments should create places that are safe, inclusive and accessible and which promote health and well-being, with a high standard of amenity for existing and future users.

5% minimum Market homes to meet M4(3)A regulations and 10% minimum Affordable homes to meet M4(3)B regulations within major developments is partially supported by Terra, in principle. However, the Council should be aware of National Building Regulation requirements and be conscious not to double count with regards to separating the percentage of M4(3)A and M4(3)B requirements for Market and Affordable Housing.

lt should also be noted that if the Council are to implement such a policy in the way outlined within their draft plan, they should allow reflection of this within cost viability assessments.

The implementation of such a policy may be a challenge from a viability and deliverability perspective, meaning that further flexibility would be favoured with regards to this policy in order to address these concerns. This is especially important given the mandatory delivery of 10% BNG throughout the UK affecting how viable and deliverable a scheme can be.

Whilst it is understood that there is a need for a mix of house types, tenures and sizes, it is important that such a policy is flexible and ensures that delivery of housing is not stalled due to overly prescriptive requirements that do not consider the scale and viability of sites. Terra politely request that the Council ensure that the Policy is flexibly applied to make allowance for home builders and developers to provide alternative housing mixes as required by the market.

Support

Representation ID: 13671

Received: 05/05/2025

Respondent: TERRA

Terra agrees to the minimum density requirement of 30 dwellings per hectare to areas outside of the Lutterworth
and Market Harborough settlements, unless a lower density is justified. This allows for alternative scheme
specifications to be put forward for development and negotiated on a case-by-case basis to reflect the local areas character and appearance.

It is important to recognise that certain schemes will require a lower density in order to be viable and deliverable, as can be the case for smaller sites. The wording in this policy enables for flexibility around density levels, something which is supported by Terra.

Support

Representation ID: 13672

Received: 05/05/2025

Respondent: TERRA

Terra supports Policy AP01, outlining that development will be permitted on land adjoining the existing built-up
areas of settlements and provides housing necessary to contribute to meeting the specific targets for housing in
Small Villages established in Policy DS01 part 2 (e).

Allocating the site that Terra are promoting within the Local Plan will enable the Council to fulfil its obligations
towards meeting the local housing needs.

Support

Representation ID: 13673

Received: 05/05/2025

Respondent: TERRA

Terra supports with draft Policy AP03 which outlines the approval for development within the countryside,
permitted it consists of affordable housing and supports local communities regarding community cohesion and
diversity.
Allowing development within the countryside, where suitable, will enable the Council to improve its Housing Land Supply position through the addition of further housing, as well as providing benefits to the local community.

Support

Representation ID: 13675

Received: 05/05/2025

Respondent: TERRA

The requirement for development to contribute to high-quality green and blue and, where on-site provision is not
feasible, a payable contribution to be provided instead towards off-site provisions. Terra agrees and supports this
Policy, in principle.

Support

Representation ID: 13677

Received: 05/05/2025

Respondent: TERRA

Terra agrees with the requirement to ensure developments are sustainably located with good transport networks
and connections to provide safe access and movement.

The site that Terra are promoting has connections to sustainable public transport networks via local bus services
available to local and future residents.