LVA supports policy which seeks to deliver new development in the most appropriate locations and encourage the Local Plan process to allocate sites not just at the main settlements, but also those lower down in the settlement hierarchy, such as Infill Villages and in particular the most sustainable villages within that classification. LVA consider the proposed approach to provide a limited amount of development in the rest of the rural area as too restrictive. The rural areas can play a key role in meeting housing requirements where development here will help ensure the vitality of these rural settlements and contribute towards local affordable housing needs.

Paragraph 55 of the NPPF supports this view and advocates housing in rural areas should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities. In line with paragraph 55 of the NPPF, it is vital to consider how sites would enhance the vitality of the rural community, and how, in line with paragraph 29, transport could play a role in facilitating sustainable development, contributing to wider sustainability.

The Local Plan should ensure that sufficient deliverable land is allocated in order to significantly boost the supply of housing and demonstrate that a supply of deliverable sites is indeed present. This should not just include sites in key settlements at the top of the settlement hierarchy, but sustainable settlements within the Infill Villages category.