Neighbourhood Plan – CALL FOR SITES (Now Closed)
- INTRODUCTION
The Neighbourhood Plan for the combined parishes of Yetminster and Ryme Intrinseca is being prepared for the period to 2036. Initial work by the Steering Group has identified a need to allocate additional housing and employment land. We now wish to hear from land owners who are interested in putting forward their land for development.
The Steering Group has analysed views expressed at the seven public discussion evenings held in September 2016 and also the opinions of local residents expressed in the recent questionnaire. These are a key consideration and have guided the Steering Group in considering criteria for land allocations.
- HOUSING
Much of the discussion at the public meetings revolved around the issue of housing. Some residents were unwilling to countenance any further development but the majority agreed that limited additional housing of an appropriate kind could add to the diversity of the housing stock and help to bring further life and vitality to the community.
Within this context, there was particular support for affordable housing[1] for people with local connections. There was also a general recognition that the preponderance of retired people points to the desirability of providing suitable dwellings (including sheltered housing) for those wishing to downsize but to remain part of the local community.
There was strong agreement amongst local residents that any new house building should respect the historic environment, distinctive character and rural setting of the two villages and make a positive contribution to local identity in terms of scale, design, materials, layout and density.
Many residents concluded that these objectives can best be achieved on small sites with the involvement of housing associations, local housing trusts and builders with an appreciation of the local vernacular style and long standing involvement in the locality.
- REQUIREMENTS FOR HOUSING LAND
Neither the adopted Local Plan nor the Joint Local Plan Review provides an assessment of housing needs for the Neighbourhood Plan area in isolation. However, pro-rata estimates point to a total need for the period to 2036 of 123 dwellings of which 87 have already been approved on land east of Thornford Road known as Folly Farm. This leaves a residual need for sites for a further 36 dwellings by 2036 and the purpose of this call for sites is to identify suitable land.
The requirements set out in section 2 above mean that sites should meet the following criteria:
- New housing should be closely integrated into the existing fabric of the villages in order to maintain a strong and unified community. Consequently self-contained peripheral housing estates should be avoided in favour of consolidating the existing village core.
- The provisions of sites suitable for sheltered housing and for those wishing to downsize should be a priority. Sites should be easily accessible and conveniently located within easy reach of essential facilities.
- REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT LAND
The Steering Group has made no attempt to quantify the need for employment land because it must be demand led. However, the Group believes that new enterprises should be encouraged and supported. These may include small scale light industry, an enterprise/innovation/support unit, start up offices and the reuse of redundant farm buildings.
Any new employment development should, of course, meet the general environmental and design criteria which will be set out in the final Neighbourhood Plan and this should be born in mind before putting forward sites for development.
- WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?
The call for Sites is now closed. There may be a further opportunity to submit further proposals re land or buildings, as we move towards finalising the draft Plan. This will be advertised if it is possible.
Suggesting a site does not guarantee that it will be included in the plan.
[1] This is currently defined in the National Planning Policy Framework as ‘social, affordable rented and intermediate housing’ (the term ‘intermediate’ is used to refer to arrangements such as shared ownership. A White Paper in February 2107 proposed some changes but these have not been progressed further.