Policy DM3 - General Amenity

Object

Representation ID: 5980

Received: 17/04/2014

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Part f) introduces minimum internal space standards. The Local Plan (2004) didn't contain any minimum space standards and the Council has produced no evidence that this has given rise to poor standards of housing accommodation.

Introduction of such policy without any sound justification is too prescriptive and too inflexible in its operation. Such a policy could restrict new housing in known areas of high demand and significantly increase cost of new housing. Recent examples where permission granted for internal room sizes less than minimum set out in Part f), no evidence this has given rise to poor or unsatisfactory accommodation.

Object

Representation ID: 5981

Received: 17/04/2014

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Part g) defines 'family dwellings' as having two+ bedrooms and requires private garden space of at least 10 metres in length. A two bedroom dwelling cannot reasonably be regarded as a 'larger home' which this part of the Policy appears to be aimed at. In a dense urban area, there is a need to maximise the use of land for housing purposes where development (and particularly redevelopment) opportunities arise. The proposed requirement for a minimum 10m garden length creates inflexibility, will reduce opportunities for providing much needed smaller housing, the threshold should be changed to properties with 4+ bedrooms.

Object

Representation ID: 6023

Received: 22/04/2014

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? No

Dm3 (g). Add - In respect of all proposed family dwellings 'including flats', 10m gardens