Testun llawn:
The allocation of ‘Land to the East of Colwinston’ for residential development as a Rural Affordable Housing Led Site by Policy HG4(1) is supported by Barratt David Wilson Redrow (South Wales) Ltd. The site is free from any major constraints and is suitable for development, demonstrated by the successful Redrow development adjacent. The allocation assists in delivering the RLDP vision, in particular for the delivery of homes which caters for all, including affordable homes. As explained in our representations to Policy SP1 and SP2 above, the delivery of housing at the Primary and Minor Rural Settlements is essential to ensuring the housing needs of the individual HMAs (and also, the housing needs of VoG) are met during the RLDP period.
‘Land to the East of Colwinston’ has limited environmental constraints and as set out in our representations to Policy SP2 above, the site area is capable of being expanded to deliver greater dwelling numbers to support the delivery of the identified need for affordable housing in the Llandow HMA during the RLDP period.
The upper limit of 25 dwellings for Minor Rural Settlements allocations is unevidenced and does not align with the need identified in Colwinston. Given the identified need for housing and affordable housing as set out in our comments to Policy SP1, allocated Rural Affordable Housing-Led Sites that have limited constraints (e.g. Allocation HG4(1)) should be allowed to be expanded and accommodate further dwelling numbers should it be desirable and viable to do so.
Policy HG4 also states that “…In addition, the Council will require developers to provide a mix of market housing that will contribute to the specific housing market needs of the community. Applicants will need to demonstrate how both the market and affordable housing provides for the local housing needs of community in terms of tenure, type and size of dwellings so that a range of housing is delivered to meet the needs of different groups in the local community.”
The RLDP seeks a high proportion of affordable homes as well as ambitious policies for net zero carbon operational homes. If these policies are going to be met it is essential that the mix of dwellings on the open market element is of a sufficient value to make the Council’s policy aspirations deliverable.