LAND OFF SOUTHDOWN ROAD HORNDEAN, HAMPSHIRE
CONTENTS Page 1. Introduction 3 2. Pre-application Discussions 4 3. The Consultation Process 5 4. Consultation Feedback 7 5. Responses to Consultation Feedback 11 6. Conclusion 15 Appendices A. Letter 17 B. Stakeholder Letter 19 C. Exhibition Boards 21 D. Consultation Website 29 E. Feedback Form 31 2
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 This report is a summary of the public consultation undertaken in relation to Taylor Wimpey s planning application for residential development on land to the west of Southdown Road, Horndean, Hampshire. 1.2 By way of background, East Hampshire District Council is required to produce a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) as part of its Local Development Framework (LDF) to govern how the Council will consult the community and stakeholders in the preparation of planning documents. The SCI for East Hampshire District Council was adopted in July 2007 and has been reviewed by the Applicant. 1.3 The role of community involvement in the planning process is further supported by the Government in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which expects applicants to work closely with those directly affected by their proposals to evolve designs that take account of the views of the community. The NPPF considers that proposals that can demonstrate this in developing the design of the new development should be looked on more favourably (Paragraph 66). 1.4 The Applicant has made efforts to comply with all local planning guidance and has discussed appropriate pre-application requirements with the Local Authority. 3
2. PRE-APPLICATION DISCUSSIONS 2.1 Prior to the community engagement process for the planning application which accompanies this document, Taylor Wimpey held pre-application discussions with the local planning authority East Hampshire District Council on 21 st March 2014, at which the Applicant agreed the basis for the scheme. 4
3. THE CONSULTATION PROCESS 3.1 The community engagement process for the planning application which accompanies this document centred around a public consultation event held by Taylor Wimpey in Clanfield on Friday 7 th March 2014. The activity which was conducted in relation to this consultation event is detailed below. 3.2 In order to publicise this exhibition, approximately 1,350 informative letters were distributed to properties in the immediate vicinity of the application site inviting local residents to attend and find out more about Taylor Wimpey s proposals. These newsletters were distributed by first-class post on 20 th February. A copy of the letter can be viewed at Appendix A. 3.3 In addition, 40 local representatives and key stakeholders including members of East Hampshire District Council, plus local schools, businesses and community groups were invited to attend a private consultation session taking place immediately before the main public consultation on Friday 7 th March. Invitations were distributed by first-class post on 19 th February, and a copy of the invitation letter can be viewed at Appendix B. 3.4 The public exhibition was held at Clanfield Memorial Hall in South Lane (approximately 1.5 miles from the application site), on Friday 7 th March from 2pm until 7.30pm, with the private session for local representatives and stakeholders taking place from 1pm. The purpose of the exhibition was to inform interested parties of the Applicant s intention to submit a planning application for residential development at the Southdown Road site and to give them the opportunity to provide their feedback on the scheme. On display at the exhibition were a number of information boards which set out the background to the application and provided details of the proposed development. It was hosted by key members of the Taylor Wimpey project team who were available to answer questions and respond to comments raised. A copy of the exhibition boards can be viewed at Appendix C. 5
3.5 Alongside the public exhibition, a dedicated website for the public consultation (www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/clanfield) was activated prior to the event. This included all the information displayed at the public exhibition to ensure that those unable to attend the event could still participate fully in the consultation process. A selection of pages from the website can be viewed at Appendix D. 3.6 Those participating in the public consultation were invited to complete feedback forms enabling them to comment on specific aspects of the proposed scheme. Paper copies of the feedback form could be returned to a member of the team on the day of the exhibition, or returned to Taylor Wimpey by email or post. Alternatively, an online version of the feedback form could be downloaded via the consultation website. Feedback was accepted by the Applicant up to and including the end of the consultation period on Friday 21 st March. A copy of the feedback form can be viewed at Appendix E. 6
4. CONSULTATION FEEDBACK 4.1 A total of 627 people attended the public exhibition and private session for the proposed Southdown Road development, and the Applicant subsequently received comments from 544 people. 4.2 All of the comments and questions raised by local residents during the public consultation period have been considered in finalising the planning application which accompanies this document. Below is a summary of all responses received in relation to the proposed scheme. Housing need 4.3 The Applicant asked consultees what type of homes they think are needed in the local area. The vast majority of consultees said that they didn t think any homes were needed in the area (72%), while 6% said that they would like to see new family homes. A further 5% expressed a wish for more starter homes and an equal number called for smaller homes for those downsizing. Seven consultees suggested that bungalows should be included within the new homes plan. 4.4 13% of consultees took this opportunity to express their opposition to the development proposals. 4% of consultees also commented that an alternative location should be found for the proposed scheme, while 2% raised concerns about a lack of infrastructure to support the development. Infrastructure 4.5 A significant proportion of consultees stated that they did not believe there are enough facilities and services, such as schools, shops and play areas, to support the new development (79%). Only 8% of consultees said that there is sufficient infrastructure to support the new homes. 7
4.6 35% of consultees said that there was a need for additional health services should the development go ahead, while 30% talked about the need for further education provision. 8% of consultees called for road improvements, 7% wanted to see more shops and 5% suggested additional sports and leisure facilities were needed. Local characteristics 4.7 The most popular response from consultees when asked which local characteristics the development should draw inspiration from was flint building materials (6%). 2% of consultees said that they did not want the new homes to resemble Taylor Wimpey s Wellington Park development in Waterlooville, while a further 2% said they would like the homes to have a traditional rural appearance. 1% of consultees suggested that the proposed development should feature a mix of varied house designs. 4.8 37% of consultees responded to this question by stating that they were against any development, while 3% said that they wanted to see the existing green fields retained and protected. Views 4.9 4% of consultees felt that it was important to retain views of the site in question, with a further 4% talking about the need to protect the views of residents whose properties overlook the land. Three consultees said that the view of the site from the South Downs should be preserved and two said that the view to Catherington Lith local nature reserve should be protected. 4.10 2% of consultees called for landscaping and planting to enhance the appearance of the development for new residents and those neighbouring the site, while 1% of consultees stated that the Applicant should ensure good visibility at the new junction for drivers entering and leaving the new development. 8
4.11 30% of consultees again took this opportunity to express their opposition to the development plans, while 10% raised concerns that the new homes would result in an increase in traffic. 5% of consultees said they were against the loss of strategic gap land arising from the proposal, while 2% of consultees expressed concerns about an increased risk of flooding should the new homes be approved. Natural features 4.12 When asked what natural features should be incorporated into the design of the development, 6% of consultees said they would like to see trees included as part of the scheme, while 3% called for public open space and 1% suggested a pond. 4.13 27% of consultees again said they were opposed to any development, while 9% said they wanted to see the site left as an open green field and 2% wanted to see the current farmland retained. Pedestrian/cycle routes 4.14 Of the consultees who gave their views on whether pedestrian and/or cycle-only routes should be provided as part of the scheme, 24% said there shouldn t be any, while 19% of consultees believed there should be pedestrian and cycle-only paths. 9% said that they didn t know. 4.15 3% of consultees suggested that there should be footpaths and cyclepaths leading to village amenities, including local shops, schools, Catherington Lith nature reserve, bus stops and the A3 cycle path. 1% felt that pedestrian-only routes into and out of the development were a good idea. 4.16 3% of consultees expressed concerns that the development would lead to an increase in traffic on local roads, with 1% saying that they didn t think White Dirt Lane was suitable for pedestrian or cycle paths. A further 2% stated that local roads were not suitable for cycle routes or that there was not sufficient demand for them. 9
Strategic gap land 4.17 34% of consultees raised concerns in their feedback that the proposed development would lead to the loss of gap land between three villages Horndean, Clanfield and Catherington with consultees commenting that the proposed scheme would effectively merge the three villages and lead to the loss of their individual identities. Highways 4.18 31% of consultees expressed the view that the development would lead to an unreasonable increase in traffic, placing pressure on existing village roads. 9% of the comments related specifically to concerns about White Dirt Lane and its unsuitability for any increase in traffic. Flooding 4.19 An increase risk of flooding was a concern raised by 13% of consultees and 3% talked about specific issues with White Dirt Lane/Southdown Road flooding in heavy rain. Wildlife 4.19 10% of consultees commented that the proposed development would result in the loss of wildlife habitats for animals including deer and badgers being spotted in the field. 10
5. RESPONSES TO CONSULTATION FEEDBACK 5.1 The following section sets out the Applicant s responses to the comments raised during the consultation period (outlined in Section 4). Housing need 5.2 The Applicant acknowledges the comments of some consultees concerning the proposed residential development; however, East Hampshire District Council s Annual Monitoring Report, dated December 2013, indicated there is a five-year requirement of 3,942 new homes within the district, and states that there is a deliverable supply of 3,009 new homes, leaving a shortfall of 933 homes. 5.3 In light of this shortfall, and the fact the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment identifies very few opportunities to accommodate housing within the existing built-up area, the Applicant is proposing residential development on the Southdown Road site, in accordance with the relevant criteria set out in the Council s Interim Housing Policy Statement. Infrastructure 5.4 In order to mitigate the impact of the proposed development on local infrastructure, public facilities and community services, the Applicant will provide financial contributions via a Section 106 agreement. These contributions will be determined following discussions with East Hampshire District Council and other local authorities, and will be allocated according to local requirements. Local characteristics 5.5 The proposed new homes will be traditional in design and in keeping with local traditional vernacular of the area. A variety of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses will be provided, and the majority will be two storeys in height. 11
5.6 The traditional building materials within the wider area include red brickwork; render, mainly pastel colours; detailing including flint knapping, half-timber buildings, red tile hangings; and roofing in slate or plain tiles. While the new buildings will not slavishly replicate the traditional styles, they will reflect the local materials and details of the area. Views 5.7 The Applicant acknowledges the concerns of consultees regarding the potential loss of views from neighbouring properties, the wider area and from the South Downs National Park. The revised Illustrative Masterplan has addressed this in the following ways. 5.8 The northern part of the site will be retained as agricultural farmland, retaining open views from the land to the west and north of the site. The higher ground in the western part of the site will be retained free from development so the proposals are not intrusive in views from higher ground in the National Park. 5.9 New landscaping within open space and at the site boundaries will protect the amenity of views from White Dirt Lane. Where development fronts onto Southdown Road it will be set back behind an appropriate landscape frontage to protect the amenity of views form the adjoining housing area. Natural features 5.10 The proposed scheme will feature a large area of public open space on the higher ground in the south western section of the site to provide an area of green space within the development, protecting the more visually prominent character of the upper slopes of the valley. 5.11 The northern part of the site will be retained as farmland and the character of this part of the Site will remain largely unaltered. There will also be a new planting along 12
the edge with White Dirt Lane to retain and enhance the rural character of the country road. Pedestrian/cycle routes 5.12 The Applicant s masterplan features a number of pedestrian access points along Southdown Road to provide links to village amenities, while a new combined footway and cycleway will be provided across the site between White Dirt Lane and Southdown Road, to provide an alternative pedestrian-friendly route between Clanfield and Catherington. Strategic gap land 5.13 The Applicant acknowledges the views of consultees who raised concerns about the loss of gap land between the villages. In order to address these concerns development has been removed from the northern part of the site retaining a significant gap between the settlements at Horndean and Clanfield. 5.14 In addition, development will extend no further than the existing farmhouse at White Dirt Farm and the south western corner of the site will be retained as open space in order to maintain the semi-rural character of White Dirt Lane; the approach to Catherington; and the separate identity of Horndean and Catherington. Highways 5.15 The proposed location of vehicular access to the development off Southdown Road is regarded as the most viable option for the scheme, taking into consideration issues of visibility and the topography. A Transport Assessment which is submitted alongside this document confirms that the proposed site access arrangements will provide safe and suitable access to the development for all modes of transport. 13
5.16 The Applicant will provide a contribution towards local highways and sustainability measures via a Section 106 agreement should this be required by East Hampshire District Council. Flooding 5.17 The majority of the proposed development site is located in Flood Zone 1. A small section of the site along Southdown Road falls within Flood Zones 2 and 3, and therefore, no development is proposed for this area. 5.18 A Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) will include the use of porous paving and swales to ensure that the rate of surface water run-off from the development will be no greater than current rates and will not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere. An infiltration trench along Southdown Road will collect and discharge any excess run-off from the site. Wildlife 5.19 A number of scoping reports are submitted alongside this document, which confirm the presence of badgers, bats, birds, dormice and reptiles at the site, including an active badger sett located approximately 2 metres outside of the south-western site boundary. 5.20 As part of the proposed scheme, the Applicant will provide a reptile receptor within the open space in the western section of the development site to provide a wildlife habitat. Enhanced planting along the boundary hedgerows will also safeguard any habitats for bats and dormice. 14
6. CONCLUSION 6.1 This Statement of Community Involvement summarises the public consultation process which has been undertaken prior to the submission of the accompanying outline planning application for residential development on land to the west of Southdown Road, Horndean. 6.2 The Applicant would like to thank all local residents, representatives and stakeholders who have contributed to the consultation process. All comments received have been considered by the project team in preparation of the application. 6.3 At the time of the consultation, approximately 200 dwellings were proposed for the development. Following this, a number of amendments were made to the site masterplan in order to incorporate the feedback received, including: Development omitted from the northern part of the site and this area to be retained as agricultural land Proposed housing numbers reduced to approximately 105 Pedestrian / cycle link provide between Catherington and Horndean New roundabout access off Southdown Road. The revisions which have been made to the initial scheme take into consideration the issues: Development character Landscape and visual effects Impact on the local gap Landscape features and wildlife Highways Surface water attenuation and flooding 15
6.4 Local residents and stakeholders will receive further opportunity to comment directly to East Hampshire District Council during the statutory consultation process, which begins following the registration of this application. 16
APPENDIX A Letter 17
18 Statement of Community Involvement
APPENDIX B Stakeholder Letter 19
20 Statement of Community Involvement
APPENDIX C Exhibition Boards 21
22 Statement of Community Involvement
23 Statement of Community Involvement
24 Statement of Community Involvement
25 Statement of Community Involvement
26 Statement of Community Involvement
27 Statement of Community Involvement
28 Statement of Community Involvement
APPENDIX D Consultation Website 29
30 Statement of Community Involvement
APPENDIX E Feedback Form 31
32 Statement of Community Involvement
33 Statement of Community Involvement