Core Strategy Issues and Options Consultation Document (Read-only)

Comment

Representation ID: 5753

Received: 28/01/2011

Respondent: Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd.

Agent: Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd.

All the Following comments are made on behalf of our client, H C Leach

Comment

Representation ID: 5754

Received: 28/01/2011

Respondent: Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd.

Agent: Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd.

Although the East of England Plan is now (intended to be) revoked it rested on a factual evidence base. It identifies Harlow as: 'a Priority Area for Regeneration, a location for Green Belt Review/Extension, a Major Town Centre and a Key Centre for Development and Change'. None of the considered evidence and debate which led to this policy has changed with a new national Government and the Council is to be commended in believing that the provision of 16,000 new houses and approximately 8,000 jobs at Harlow (as set out in the Regional Plan) would help secure the regeneration of the town.

Comment

Representation ID: 5755

Received: 28/01/2011

Respondent: Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd.

Agent: Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd.

The Council should always be alert to existing open land which may prevent urban extensions. However, if its belief that the Plan should accommodate 16,000 new dwellings, of which 10,000 will need to be on greenfield sites, it would undermine the founding principles of Harlow if the Green Wedges were to be developed to meet this need.



If it is the Council's desire to see the scale of development which it considers necessary to bring about regeneration, then this document should be a little more transparent about explaining the lower levels of growth and also that the 16,000 figure is not achievable without urban extensions.



This becomes more evident in Section 6 but, even then, the link with para 3.4.3 and the Council's belief in what is the appropriate route to secure benefits for the town, is not clearly stated.

Comment

Representation ID: 5756

Received: 28/01/2011

Respondent: Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd.

Agent: Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd.

It is noted that land to the East of the town, either wholly within Harlow's jurisdiction or extending into Epping Forest, but in all cases bound to the east by the M11 motorway, features in all the options including the Consultants' suggested approach. Development in this area would be contained, well related to Harlow Old Town and its station and the existing main road network within the town, and is an ideal location for an urban extension.

Comment

Representation ID: 5758

Received: 28/01/2011

Respondent: Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd.

Agent: Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd.

It is made clear in para 6.1.3, whilst the Consultants' Report was commissioned to reflect the East of England Plan, the Council believes that the headline figures therein remain appropriate to regenerate Harlow.



If following consultation the Council adheres to this course then the findings of the Report still hold good as to the most appropriate way to accommodate that growth.

Comment

Representation ID: 5760

Received: 28/01/2011

Respondent: Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd.

Agent: Barker Parry Town Planning Ltd.

Please see answer to Question 4 which supports 'strong agreement' to Question 3 and seems the most appropriate box to support the 16,000 new dwelling figure.



Question 4: Although the East of England plan is now (intended to be) revoked, it rested on factual evidence base. It identifies Harlow as: 'a Priority Area for Regeneration, a location for Green Belt Review/Extension, a Major Town Centre, and a Key Centre for Development and Change'. None of the considered evidence and debate which led to this policy has changed with a new national Government and the Council is to be commended in believing that the provision of 16,000 new houses and approximately 8,000 new jobs at Harlow (as set out in the Regional Plan) would help secure the regeneration of the town.