FAQs

The following is a list of the key points delivered by the SWLP team during the online consultation that took place on 12 February 2025 (10am - 12 noon).  The presentation given during this session can be found here.
 

Will infrastructure be provided in advance of housing?

• This will be determined on a site-by-site basis and dependent on the proposals of the infrastructure advisers.  In some cases it may be required up-front if the site is demonstrated to be deliverable/viable.
   

Affordable housing

• A viability study will be required, including technical work to determine requirements.  Currently the levels of affordable housing are 35% SDC / 40% WDC.  This could change depending on the locations e.g. higher in more urban areas, but lower in more rural areas.
• Will be based on land value discussions – landowners need to understand that the land has to meet specific requirements for affordable housing. If developers over-value the land, then the houses won’t sell. If landowners and proposers are not prepared to meet the requirements then the sites won’t feature in any plan.
   

Concern regarding development of elevated positions in rural areas (where there is the potential for the development to be viewed for miles)

• Each site will need to be evaluated.  Where it is determined that it is not possible to develop due to flooding, landscape, physical elements etc. – these factors will be considered at the design stage rather than allocation, but it is worthwhile to make these points now in a response.
   

Call for Sites

• HELAA-A assessment of previous calls for sites - some were sifted out, but that doesn’t mean that developers won’t query the sifting out (suggesting that they could appeal and the sites may reappear).
• The remaining sites (i.e. those not sifted out) may still be required.  It has been stated that 10% of the developments should be on sites of less than 1 Ha.  Again, it is worth commenting on any sites of this nature, even though the focus is on the New Settlement and Strategic Growth sites.
• They do not envisage a further call for sites; they are trying to filter down the land options at this stage.
   

Responding to the SWLP

• The SWLP team will accept any response posted to them provided they are not anonymised (i.e. they must have a name and address on them).
   

Individual Sites

• The SWLP is trying to move away from the dispersed approach to development to avoid ‘destroying villages’. It is therefore definitely worth responding to individual sites.
• Smaller sites will be looked at in terms of the contribution they make, e.g. custom self-builds. It may be that these sites are included in the supply of new dwellings. The SWLP team believe that the HELAA assessment has been, and is, a useful tool. While it isn’t part of the final decision-making process, they will look to that as a strong steer.
   

Green Belt Review

• The SWLP team acknowledged that there are some gaps in the evidence. Stage 1 of the SWLP's Green Belt Review has been completed, which assesses parcels of land around settlements which are adjacent to the Green Belt or “inset” within the Green Belt designation; and broad areas of land between these parcels. Stage 2 of the Green Belt Review will assess the performance of specific sites, where these are being considered for development. It will also assess villages which are currently “washed over” by the Green Belt designation to consider whether the built up areas of these villages should be removed from the Green Belt designation. Stage 2 will be available after the Preferred Options consultation.
• It may be the case that they receive comments that flag concerns or require a review of certain sites e.g. flood risk. This is your opportunity to check their homework.  Your knowledge of the local area and sites being proposed is invaluable at this point and you are strongly encouraged to respond. Please remember that the response has to be evidence led. Any argument will need justification to provide the team with an understanding as to why a site might not be suitable.  The SWLP team acknowledged that their officers are not going to know every detail for every site.
   

Development of Green Belt Land

• Question put to the team: The Local PLan needs to make provision for 28,257 additional new dwellings in South Warwickshire to meet government targets.These are to be located in the new settlement and strategic growth locations.  The Local Plan's own Sustainability Appraisal shows that:
  - New Settlements not in the Green Belt have capacity for a further 6,000 dwellings
  - Strategic Growth locations not in the Green belt have capacity for a further 48,500 dwellings
  This means that it is possible to meet housing need without building on Green Belt land?
• This is correct, however, the SWLP is taking the policy approach. Looking at South Warwickshire and the Green Belt, there are a lot of sustainable areas (e.g. urban areas) that fall within the Green Belt. They are keen to explore the implications of this.  The Green Belt serves a purpose, but they need to check if this purpose is still valid.  What is the right location? Some areas that fall into the Green Belt are arguably more accessible.  At this stage they have determined that there is no right answer and that the view of residents is useful. They need an understanding of exceptional circumstances to go into the Green Belt because of sustainability. They stated that there is a recognised tension between the historic Green Belt designation and sustainable development.
   

Definition of 'sustainable'

• That which meets the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations.
   

SG24 (sites bordering other local authorities)

• The SWLP team recognise that discussions with neighbouring local authorities need to take place and it was stated that these are ongoing. They want a joined up approach.  They will receive replies from neighbouring local authorities [it was not stated when, or if they would share with the public].  Their advice? To lobby those neighbouring local authorities for further information/updates.
   

Healthcare Provision

• Stakeholders are being made aware of the SWLP consultation and there are discussions with the relevant NHS Trust(s) so that need can be assessed, identified and required provision determined.