In a discussion on a recent application (19/0803N) to build 7 more houses on a greenfield site in Wyche Lane, the issue of phasing arose. It was not then seen as a major issue but I think it deserves greater prominence.
Our Neighbourhood Plan was ‘made’; ,as the silly phrase goes, in March 2016. It will run until the current Cheshire East Local Plan expires in 2030. It is in effect part of that Local Plan. To get ‘made’ it had to go through a length process of development, consultation, and scrutiny, by both Cheshire East itself and a HM Planning Inspector. So our neighbourhood plan is a real document that must be taken into consideration. Or it should be, as long as Cheshire East has a workable Local Plan that includes what the national government considers an appropriate housing target and the available land on which to build those houses. But ever since our Plan was made back in 2016 that is exactly what the council has not had. It does have that Plan in place now. But during the time it did not (2010-2018) all polices related to housing supply were deemed ‘out-of-date’ and could be ignored. It was up to the Planning Offices, Planning Committees, and on appeals the HM Inspectors how much weight they gave to these ‘out-of-date’ policies.
One of the policies contained in the Bunbury Neighbourhood Plan (BNP
Policy H6 – Phasing of Housing
Cheshire East Council’s Local Plan relates to 2010 to 2030 and we are required to accommodate 80 new houses over that period. Between April 2010 and March 2015, 19 new houses have been completed in Bunbury and these have been discounted from the 80 new homes required by the Local Plan. To ensure an appropriate phased delivery of housing over the Neighbourhood Plan period, 2015 to 2030, the 61 remaining new homes proposed should be delivered against the following indicative schedule, unless any demonstrable increase in local housing need is identified by the local planning authority.
Phase 1: 2015 – 2020 – 21 homes
Phase 2: 2020 – 2025 – 20 homes
Phase 3: 2025 – 2030 – 20 homes
The reality is quite different. While Cheshire East failed to deliver an appropriate Local Plan the developers were given priority and there was no question of phasing housing.
In the new era where the BNP matters the current situation and plans for housing supply for the future are discussed in the latest ‘Bunbury Settlement Report’ (draft):
In Paragraph 3.7 of the Bunbury Settlement Report (“BSR”) [FD25] it is stated:
3.7 There were 21 housing completions (net) in Bunbury between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2017, and 0 ha employment land take up. Commitments as at 31 March 2017 were 39 dwellings and 0 ha of employment land
In Paragraph 3.11 it is stated:
Bunbury has 50 dwellings left to find before the end of the Plan period. However, as detailed in Table Bunbury 2 (below) it is recognised that a number of other applications have been granted planning permission after the base date (31/03/17).
The table (2) referred to is now out of date through additions and amendments
|
Ref No |
Site name |
Type |
No. of Dwellings |
Valid Date |
Approval Date |
|
16/0646N |
6 & Land rear of no.6 Bunbury Lane |
Outline |
15 |
12.02.16 |
06.07.17 (appeal) |
|
16/2010N |
Land off Oaks Gardens, Bunbury |
Outline |
15 |
13.05.16 |
31.05.17 (appeal) |
|
16/5637N |
Land adjacent to Bunbury Medical Practice, Vicarage Lane (CFS 507) |
Full |
8 |
20.12.16 |
26.04.17 |
|
15/1666N |
Land at Bowe’s Gate Road, Bunbury (CFS 519) |
Full |
11 |
10.04.15 |
27.09.17 |
|
18/3389N |
Mayfield House, MOSS LANE, BUNBURY, CW6 9SY |
Full |
1 |
09-Jul-2018 |
11-Sep-2018 |
|
18/2655N |
Holly Mount, WHITCHURCH ROAD, BUNBURY, CW6 9SX |
Outline |
1 |
31-May-2018 |
10-Jul-2018 |
|
17/6227N |
Heath Farm, WHITCHURCH ROAD, BUNBURY, CW6 9SX |
Full |
2 |
21-Dec-2017 |
19-Apr-2018 |
|
17/0396N |
The Outspan, Sadlers Wells, Bunbury, CW6 9NU |
Full |
1 (5th dwelling added to consent for 4) |
24-Jan-2017 |
28-Mar-2017 |
|
total |
54 |
The Planning applications granted and inclusive of amendments has now reach 54. If granted the application the subject of this objection would mean that Bunbury village has exceed the number of dwellings allocated to it in the Cheshire East Plan by 13 dwellings. This is before the completion of Phase 1 in the Bunbury Neighbourhood Plan.
That policy can ONLY be implemented by Cheshire East Council who endorsed this policy and has included it as part of the current Local Plan. I therefore respectfully ask you to implement this policy according to your requirement to uphold policies you have legally endorsed.
