Sustainability Appraisal of the Core Strategy

Object

Representation ID: 1700

Received: 07/07/2008

We feel this is an incomprehensible document with a serious lack of realism. The appraisal of PF 7 and 8 ignores the many negative impacts - so there will be no proper planning for this and policies will not be sustainable. Over 1 million square feet of new development is proposed in a ward that already has some of the highest densities in Britain - creating major pressures on services and infrastructure. Lack of support for maintaining and improving existing built environment and making use of underused accommodation especially over the shop. Not enough support for creating environmental action areas - particularly upper Queens Road. There are too many competing economic drivers and the intensification of retail uses will create too much competition for existing businesses. We disagree with the claim that preferred approach 8 meets any of the listed sustainability objectives and feel insufficient account has been taken of the uncertain economic climate, thus creating a high-risk future employment strategy based primarily on large-scale retail and office expansion.

Likewise Preferred Approach 1 does not meet sustainability objectives and seems to be creating isolated urban sprawl totally at odds with national and regional planning guidance - viable smaller scale integrated developments such as those proposed in the MBM masterplan are both sustainable and preferable.