Page 409 - All files for Planning Inspectorate update

currently none. It would have been preferable for the car parking to have been set
slightly further away from the buffer zone but overall, given the above it is not felt that
there would be grounds to object to the scheme in relation to criteria e) of policy
ASW9.

The proposal includes the removal of the existing telecommunications mast, in
compliance with criteria f) of policy ASW9.

Criteria g) of policy ASW9 requires evidence that any potential contamination of the
site has been fully investigated and any remediation found to be necessary has
taken place before development begins. The Councils Contaminated Land Officer
has assessed the application and has recommended that a phased planning
condition is imposed to ensure the site is safely developed for its end use. With such
a condition in place, criteria g) of policy ASW9 would be met.

With regards to criteria h) the scheme provides for 15 x 1 bed flats and 39 x 2 bed
flats. The accommodation that is provided is driven by the layout and design of the
scheme; it is only realistic to accommodate this number of units on the site with a
flatted development. The accommodation provided would be smaller dwellings. The
application is not accompanied by a housing needs survey. The applicants Design
and Access Statement (DAS) states that in complying with part M of the Building
Regulations, the scheme will provide level access and that within the buildings
corridors and door widths (especially to WC provision) are sized to ensure that the
circulation within the entrance storey of the dwelling facilitates wheelchair use. There
would be no reason why the proposed flats could not be occupied by elderly persons
as the buildings would be accessible.

The District Councils Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment
(HEDNA) (February 2015) which formed part if the evidence base for the District
Plan examination states on page 75 'Table 31 indicates that the over the plan period,
there will be a significant need for smaller dwelling types, with the majority of new
households being 1 or 2 person households with a very high proportion of need
arising for elderly persons (75+) with the majority of such households being 1 or 2
person households. A significant proportion of future household growth will also be
for family sized homes at around 30% of total growth, with 15% of total household
growth requiring smaller family sized homes of 2-3 bedrooms and 15% requiring
larger family sized homes of 3+ bedrooms.'

It is therefore considered that whilst the application is not accompanied by a housing
needs survey, the evidence that the District Council holds shows that there is a
requirement for smaller dwellings.

With regards to affordable housing, this will be assessed later in this report.

Overall then there is not full compliance with criteria h) of policy ASW9. The scheme
would provide smaller dwellings that would be accessible but does not provide
affordable housing.