Settlement Hierarchy (Policy S/SH: Settlement Hierarchy)

Under proposed Policy S/SH: Settlement Hierarchy (commencing page 47), and the sub-heading of ‘Proposed Policy Direction’ (also commencing page 47) and based on the maps provided on pages 12 and 13, the draft Plan explains that Kneesworth will remain an Infill Village.

The draft Plan goes on to explain (also page 47): “Windfall proposals for residential development coming through planning applications within these settlements … will be subject to the following: … • Infill Village: indicative maximum scheme size of 2 dwellings, and exceptionally consist of up to about 8 dwellings where this would lead to the sustainable reuse of a brownfield site bringing positive overall benefit to the village.”

There appears to be little, if any, justification for this proposed limitation on the scale of development. The draft Plan explains (page 48): “This is a delicate balance between supporting housing development and the reuse of brownfield land, whilst avoiding unsustainable scales of development in areas where there is more limited access to services, facilities, and employment. Whilst there is a desire to provide flexibility to help meet housing needs, that has to be balanced with the evidence coming through our Net Zero Carbon Study (2021) that growth in smaller villages tends to generate higher levels of carbon than urban development.”

However, to set an indicative maximum size for any development fails to recognise that the full potential of a site in such a location might be higher, and that there might be benefits of a larger proposal in ensuring existing services and facilities remain sustainable in the longer-term. A more appropriate approach would be to reflect paragraphs 124 and 125 of the NPPF, which advocate the need to make the most effective use of land, subject to number of criteria that need to be considered. Such an approach would provide the necessary flexibility to maximise delivery whilst also taking into account wider considerations regarding the sustainability of such a site.

Summary It is thus evident that:
There is little, if any, justification for the proposed limitation on the scale of development.
The policy should instead advocate an approach reflective of paragraphs 124 and 125 of the NPPF (to which at present it is contrary).