Fears For Pace And Scale Of Development In The South West

11.01.08

Commenting on the publication of the Panel’s report of the Examination in Public (EiP) [1] of the draft Regional Spatial Strategy – a plan to shape the South West’s development for the next 20 years – Wendy Lutley, the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s [2] Regional Policy Officer for the South West said:

‘We are deeply concerned at the pace and scale of the development recommended by the Panel’s report, which includes increasing the housing allocation for the region to 28,000 new homes per annum, an increase of 40 per cent on provision in the current regional plan. The South West is already the fastest growing of the English regions and accelerated growth could threaten its special qualities.’

Wendy continued:

‘Although we welcome the report’s recommendation of increasing the target of affordable homes to 10,000 per annum [3], we are concerned that availability of funding in the foreseeable future would mean a shortfall in delivery. We also think a more cautious approach to built development is needed to respect the region’s special environment and rural character.

‘We are particularly concerned at the proposal to increase development levels substantially in some more rural and coastal districts. Our evidence at the EiP showed that the rural character of the region is already in rapid decline. The final regional plan should aim to manage change, not fuel growth. It should concentrate on making good use of and improving the skills of local people; and ensure that change benefits rather than harms local communities, our countryside and the environment.’

CPRE’s seven county branches in the South West will be looking closely at the detail of the Panel’s recommendations for their areas:

CPRE Avonside [4] spokesperson Georgie Bigg said:

‘The scale and pace of development proposed will have huge implications for infrastructure, such as sewage and drainage that is, in many places already inadequate. The first priority should be ensuring the city of Bristol has quality, well-designed sustainable accommodation to make urban living attractive. The continued integrity of the Green Belt will be critical and its value to both city and country dwellers should not be underestimated. The international heritage value of Bath and its nationally important landscape setting must be conserved. We will continue to oppose expansion of Bristol International Airport that is inappropriately situated in beautiful countryside adjacent to the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with no likelihood of rail connection.’

CPRE Cornwall spokesperson Chris Burton said:

‘The Panel’s recommendations for substantially higher housing levels for the rural districts of Cornwall cause us considerable concern. There is perpetual pressure for development along the coast. We were already concerned at the pace and scale of development proposed for Truro/Falmouth in the draft RSS. We said at the EiP into draft RSS that the priority for Cornwall should be affordable housing and regeneration appropriate to protecting Cornwall’s heritage. Overall housing levels should certainly not be higher than in the current Cornwall Structure Plan (the plan to guide future development democratically agreed by Cornwall County Council).’

CPRE Devon Vice-chairman, Geoffrey Sworder said:

‘The biggest issue for Devon is housing. We are concerned at the overall pace and scale of new development proposed, when the crucial need is to achieve a higher proportion of affordable homes. For Devon we will be looking carefully at what the Panel report says on this – and on development in smaller settlements and the countryside. The final wording of draft RSS will be critical to ensure sustainable development in our towns and villages and avoid inappropriate development in the wider countryside.’

CPRE Dorset Chairman, Howard Thomas said:

‘We will continue to campaign vigorously against any housing and road development in the Green Belt around Bournemouth and Poole and in Dorset's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The main housing priority for Dorset must be affordable homes.’

CPRE Gloucestershire Vice-chairman, Richard Lloyd said:

‘We are pleased to see that the Panel has endorsed the focus of growth on Gloucester and Cheltenham to bring job creation and new housing more into line and to reduce dispersed development in the more rural parts of the county where the priority is for affordable housing for existing communities. Accommodating the higher housing numbers now envisaged will be a real challenge. While we accept there will be a need for urban extension, we are concerned that greenfield sites should not be released before more difficult urban regeneration challenges have been fully addressed and that the Panel has advised against any phasing of development. We are also disappointed that our case was not accepted for extensions to the Green Belt to prevent urban sprawl south of Gloucester and to the north of Bishops Cleeve.’

CPRE Somerset Chairman, Catherine le Grice-Mack said:

‘We will be looking carefully at what the Panel says about the priority for a second strategic road route through Somerset along with the A303. CPRE maintains that this is used more as a local and sub-regional route and enlarging its capacity would be contrary to the draft RSS aims of reducing carbon emissions and maintaining tranquillity. We support the main focus of development in Somerset being at Taunton – but are concerned at the pace and scale proposed. The final RSS must include clear guidance for local authorities to help them decide appropriate development levels for market towns and villages to ensure continued local identity and sense of place.’

CPRE Wiltshire Vice chairman Charmian Spickernell said:

‘In Wiltshire our particular concern is the pace and scale of development proposed for Swindon. It is essential that the town centre is regenerated first, including improvement to public transport. There are huge implications for infrastructure such as water and sewage that need to be addressed before further expansion. It will also be important to maintain the separate identity of nearby towns and villages. The main need across Wiltshire as a whole is to prioritise affordable homes.’

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. For a fuller overview of our input to the EiP and our advance briefing on the draft RSS Panel report for the South West see http://www.cpre.org.uk/news/view/465
2. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk
3. This represents 35% of the new housing delivery target. Previously affordable housing represented less than 25% of the houses built – which equated to less than 5,000 houses a year.
4. Our branch covering Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare.

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