Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report containing a detailed response to the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) – Phase 2 Revision preferred option. At the invitation of the Chairman, members of the Local Development Framework Working Party participated in the debate on this matter. Following discussion it was

RECOMMENDED   that the Council’s response to the RSS Phase 2 Revision preferred option be as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, including the specific representation on the issues set out below. It is understood that elements of this response concur with the views of Redditch Borough Council.   

(a)      that this Council objects to the level of Redditch related housing and employment growth to be provided within Bromsgrove and /or Stratford, in locations adjacent to Redditch town, when alternative more strategically viable sites within the District are available;

(b)      that this Council objects to the designation of Redditch as a Settlement of Significant Development, particularly in relation to the future implications for this growth within Bromsgrove’s Green Belt;

(c)        that this Council is concerned that the low housing allocation for Bromsgrove District up to 2026 will not allow the District to address its well documented affordable housing needs and those of the increasingly elderly population;

(d)       that in response to (c) above and on the basis of the attached supporting documentation (Appendix 1), this Council requests a higher housing allocation of up to 4000 housing units for Bromsgrove District, to be located in suitable sustainable locations to be determined by the Council through the Spatial Planning Process;

(e)       that this Council is concerned that if the RSS does allocate housing and employment land to the periphery of Redditch town, the RSS should as far as possible clearly determine the exact requirements to be developed in the Bromsgrove, Redditch and Stratford Districts.