The issue of sustainable housing development is one of the most important challenges facing North Warwickshire at the moment and I want to make sure that all local residents have an opportunity to have their opinions on the subject heard. My staff member recently attended the public meeting in Dordon and reported back to me on the points raised.
Firstly I would like to clarify the proposals that have been made as there appears to be a number of rumours which are inaccurate. In total, 2,071 properties are proposed for Dordon and Polesworth. The majority of these (2,000) are proposed for the 160.80ha site to the east of Dordon and Polesworth which will also contain wildlife and woodland areas. A further 1,191 properties are proposed for the 66.1ha site at Robey’s Lane, adjacent to Tamworth. Maps showing these proposals are available on North Warwickshire Borough Council’s Website.
As you are no doubt aware, the draft Local Plan has been drawn up by North Warwickshire Borough Council and, although they have kept me informed of their ideas and proposals, an MP doesn’t play a direct part in drawing up a Local Plan because that is the responsibility of the Local Authority. As the title suggests, this is a draft plan and now is the opportunity for local residents to have their say. Contrary to some beliefs this is not a “done deal”
From my discussions with North Warwickshire Borough Council I have seen that they have worked very hard to keep the numbers of new homes required in the Borough as low as they possibly can. Under the Local Government Regulations they have been obliged to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Coventry City Council and there is also another one in the pipeline with Birmingham City Council. These are agreements that mean that the Local Authorities surrounding Coventry and Birmingham will be obliged to take some of the housing numbers from these areas that they don’t have space to accommodate.
The total housing requirements for North Warwickshire under the Draft Local Plan is 9,070. This is the lowest figure in comparison to our neighbouring Boroughs who have agreed to the following numbers; 12,400 for Rugby, 13,180 for Stratford and 18,640 for Warwick. Nuneaton and Bedworth have a local need for 10,040 with a suggestion of a further 4,020 from Coventry also, not yet taking Birmingham into account. I believe this gives a good indication of how the Council have worked to minimise the impact of new housing on the borough.
I would also like to make sure that local people are able to benefit from improvements to infrastructure that should be part of any proposed development. With new developments must come opportunities and investment in the local area, with more houses it is a necessity that we get the infrastructure needed to cope, this could be road improvements, new school places and new amenities.
This is why I recently called on the Communities Minister in Parliament to ensure infrastructure and amenity provisions with any significant developments, citing the proposals in Dordon and Polesworth as a prime example. I stated in the Debate on the Neighbourhood Planning Bill in October 2016:
“It is understandable that local residents show concern when consultations are put forward for sizeable developments in their area. A good example is Dordon and Polesworth in my constituency, where 3,000 new houses have been proposed. That would have a huge impact on the infrastructure and services that residents enjoy, not least on the already creaking road network. It is important that plans are made and that residents always have an input on potential new schools, roads, doctors’ surgeries and other local services. With that in mind, I ask the Minister to ensure that the provision of infrastructure and amenities is always a key consideration for local authorities when granting planning consent, and that when there is any significant house building the sustainability of the area is at the forefront of the design plans.”
At this stage, I want to emphasise the Government’s policy that local people should have their say in how development is carried out in their area. I would urge everyone to take part in the Council’s consultation which will be taking place from 10th November 2016 to 5th January 2017, so that they can have their say on the Draft Local Plan. The Council will be holding consultation events throughout North Warwickshire and the dates of these are available on North Warwickshire Borough Council’s website.
I am aware that some people are opposed to the ideas in the draft local plan and I appreciate those concerns. However, I am also contacted by local people who are struggling to find a suitable home of their own and I want to see all people within the Borough have access good quality housing.
I want everyone to have their say in the future development of the Borough and, as well as encouraging people to take part in the consultation, I will be holding my own public meetings during the consultation period to ensure that everyone is aware of how they can take part in the process effectively. I want us to be able to strike the right balance between giving local people the opportunity to own the home they have always wanted and alleviating any concerns that other residents may have.
I will confirm an invitation to my public meetings once I have finalised the dates.
Please see the links below which I trust will be of interest:
Link to NWBC Consultation Events:
https://www.northwarks.gov.uk/info/20028/forward_planning/1357/local_plan_2016
Link to Craig’s contribution to the neighbourhood Planning Debate, 10th October 2016:
https://www.craigtracey.co.uk/news/local-mp-calls-minister-consider-housing-levels-following-brexit-and-new-infrastructure