Heathlands Garden Settlement SPD

Object

Representation ID: 409

Received: 12/12/2025

Respondent: Mr John Britt

The principle of the SPD is to support a policy which was deemed weak at the inspection of the LPR. That this version of the SPD avoids doing that means it is of little use of consequence.

Objection noted.
The overall strategy and policy basis for Heathlands was established by the Local Plan Review which was adopted by the Council in March 2024, following a robust process of debate and scrutiny via an independent ‘Examination in Public’.
The SPD captures the key structuring elements and principles, whilst also allowing for appropriate flexibility for further design work to consider matters in more detail and bring forward appropriate proposals.
Future planning applications will set out more details around the proposed layout of buildings, uses and infrastructure across the site. All future applications will be the subject of consultation and future decision making.

Comment

Representation ID: 410

Received: 12/12/2025

Respondent: Mr John Britt

The SPD avoids addressing all the fundamental issues required. It swerves around the issues of major infrastructure, in terms of timing and funding; it side-steps the requirement for a new station; there is no detail relating to how waste water will be dealt with, when and by whom and it leaves too many decisions to developers to dumb-down responses in order to attempt to get something, of whatever value and character, built.

Comment noted.
The Council consider it important for the SPD to set out this additional guidance to enable future planning applications to address the full range of issues.
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(A) of the Local Plan Review which established the necessary scope of infrastructure for the site.
The SPD captures the key structuring elements and principles, whilst also allowing for appropriate flexibility for further design work to consider matters in more detail and bring forward appropriate proposals.
Future planning applications will set out more details around the proposed layout of buildings, uses and infrastructure across the site.
Future planning applications will need to consider and address all the identified issues and requirements, will be the subject of consultation and future decision making.

Object

Representation ID: 411

Received: 12/12/2025

Respondent: Mr John Britt

However, whilst agreeing with the principle of the SPD for Heathlands, that SPD has to encompass
all the elements required. I am disappointed that, despite the passage of
some 18 months since the adoption of the Local Plan Review (LPR) in March 2024 and the Stakeholder Steering Group (SSG) meetings between December 2024 and July 2025, in many critical areas the evidence base is no further forward in order to establish the credibility and viability of the proposals for a Garden Community at Heathlands.

Objection noted.
Officers consider that the SPD is supported by an appropriate evidence base, and sets out a wide range of requirements that future planning applications will need to consider and address.
The viability of the proposal was considered during the examination of the Local Plan Review and is not a matter needing to be revaluated to prepare the SPD.