Core strategy or poor strategy? part two

What does it mean in Eastrop?

From an Eastrop point of view, a number of sites within the town area have been included with virtually no debate. This is, in part, as they are already within the settlement boundary and therefore infrastructure largely exists. However it also means that some of these sites have significant constraints that have not been properly considered. Although Greytown and Brook House are a given, proposals to build on Central Car park and Castons Car Park are quite likely to not happen.

Thanks to the successful Lib Dem campaign to protect parking spaces in the town centre, the Council has a policy that will 'broadly maintain' parking provision in the town centre. That means these sites can only be used for flats (which developers already have a land bank for) combined with a multistorey car park (which is hugely expensive). 

At present the scheme could only go ahead without affordable homes (which would be against our existing and proposed policy) and need a significant financial contribution from the Council who normally make money from new developments, not spend it.

Redevelopment of the Brambly's Grange surgery is the other site expected to be developed in Eastrop. I have little issue with the principle of it being used for housing, but it should fit in with the existing homes in the area - semi detached and terraced family homes, that may impact on the numbers. 

The problem for the Council is if the urban sites don't come forward, pressure will put on the 'reserve sites'.

The limited activity on Eastrop should not stop residents having a good look at the core strategy, just because most homes are not in our back yard we must remember that development to the East of town has a major impact on junction 6 of the M3 and the roads to the town centre, many of which are at the end of our back yards. 

Also many of children who will live in the Loddon Valley will end up needing dropping off at Costello, already an issue.

Verdict  - poor strategy

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Spin watch - I doubt there will be much Eastrop specific, but get ready for the Tories to say they'll do all they can to save the reserve sites. 
The fact is the chances of all the other developments in the urban area coming forward and yielding the numbers expected are pretty much zero and the tories know it. If by miracle the reserve sites survive until 2027, they'll be first on the list in the next LDF if the same Tories are in control.

Note: The Council have already factored in the 'windfall sites' - unexpected developments which usually mean a small number. Often an unused office being converted or where a big house is demolished and replaced by 2 or 3 smaller homes, Eastrop could see a few of these.