Page 218 - MJC submissions

to this quantum of housing it was also critical to ensure that the site selected as allocated
were tested

52. the AECOM report concludes that the sites were assessed against sustainability objectives
and suitability….And indicates that some sites were excluded for logical reasons such as
impact on the AO NB and some sites were excluded at this point in time as they are not
available for development or are surplus

53. The AECOM report identified there is attention in the appraisals. There is a need to
balance the preservation of the environment with the delivery of housing to meet need
54. detailed criteria charts was submitted with the sustainability appraisal applying broad
categories to 15 criteria on which the most important was to retain the character of
Ashurst Wood….. Criterion 10 was to “provide access to key services” which was in fact
an assessment of the level of CIO contributions made by each option

the options generally (two or three) was to have no neighbourhood plan, to have a
neighbourhood plan or to rely on the MSDC and national level plans.
MSDC was required to prepare an SA--- required AWVC to do so……---- SEA not required for
small areas at a local level unless it likely to have a significant environmental effect—MSDC
requires an SEA--- not defined—Strategic Environmental Assessment---

sustainable development is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for
generations to come. It is about considering the long-term environmental, social and
economic issues and impacts in an integrated and balanced way….. The sustainability
appraisal will inform the neighbourhood plan to ensure that it is prepared in the most
sustainable possible way, given all alternative options (scoping report

the scoping survey and early consultation resulted in the following vision for the
neighbourhood plan
“to preserve and protect Ashurst Woods characteristics as a rural village, while at the same
time ensuring that it remains a vibrant, safe and welcoming community and and attractive
location for people to live

scoping report (strategic OPTIONS) said “only to provide for the minimum housing required
by the district plan (likely to be 16 dwellings in addition to the current commitments)----
provide for all housing identified by the needs assessment, subject to availability of suitable
sites…. Provide some additional housing above the minimum to meet some of the local
needs identified by the needs assessment…. Provide for a mixture of affordable and market
housing

options of having a neighbourhood plan and not having one were considered----main point
was to “protect and enhance the countryside and open spaces of Ashurst Wood parish, while
ensuring any changes to benefit (the) community as a whole” followed by “retaining the
distinctiveness and character of the village, avoiding over or inappropriate development and
preserving the development gap between the village and the nearby town of East Grinstead”
the neighbourhood plan objectives deliver the vision and strategy for Ashurst Wood…. The Page 12
essay objectives are more aspirational in nature, addressing the full cross-section of

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