PLANNING inspectors have cast doubt over a new development plan’s ability to deliver a five-year housing land supply across South Worcestershire.
Although initial inspections of the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) indicate it will be sound and legally compliant, inspectors’ early reviews of the plan have raised various concerns.
The SWDP was subject to public examination during hearings in March, which scrutinised the policies and evidence the plan is based on – known as the SWDP Review (SWDPR).
In an interim letter, inspectors recommended a slight reduction in the target number of homes to be delivered before the plans scheduled conclusion in 2041 – from 21,440 to 18,852.
Inspectors then raised concerns about the viability of delivering 2,000 homes at Throckmorton by 2041, with suggestions the plan’s definition of the area as a ‘allocated housing site’ is unrealistic.
More work needs to be done before homes can be built there, with initial recommendations suggesting the site should instead be classified as an ‘area of local search’.
They have also challenged the proposed use of windfall sites – land unexpectedly coming forward for housing – outside of the official plan and cast doubt on the ability to deliver a 2,204 home section of the Worcester South urban extension on land south of Taylors Lane within the next five years.
While it remains an allocation in the plan, the inspectors are of the view the outstanding part of the site cannot be considered part of South Worcestershire’s five-year housing land supply.
When combined with proposed changes to windfall sites, the inspectors believe the plan would not deliver a five-year land supply on adoption.
Having a five-year land supply in place would allow the councils to resist housing development in inappropriate locations.
Positively, inspectors did express support for new settlements at Rushwick and Worcestershire Parkway.
Ultimately, inspectors say the plan is worthy of adoption as it would ‘boost significantly the supply of housing as a whole and will meet the identified need across the plan period.’
Suggested changes from inspectors will be put out to consultation in the autumn, after which councils in the region can formally adopt the plan.
Councils with whom the plan will inform development policy include Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District.
Councillor David Harrison, chair of SWDPR Joint Advisory Panel, said: “We’re pleased the Inspectors believe the plan is likely to be found sound and legally compliant and we look forward to their final report and moving the process forward so we can adopt as soon as possible.
“We are disappointed with their initial conclusion about the five-year housing land supply.”
The chair said his panel do not share the inspectors’ concerns regarding the Worcester South site, which he pointed out already has outline planning permission, a committed landowner, a developer, and pre-existing detailed plans for areas of the development.
They believe the site can make a ‘significant contribution’ to the region’s five-year housing land supply and are committed to providing further evidence on its viability.
Visit www.localplanservices.co.uk/_files/ugd/017f5b_6423b479f5b44770b212e560eb7a146a.pdf to read the inspectors’ initial report in full.
