Consultation is live on the JCS Review for Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury

On behalf of our landowner and developer clients, Plainview Planning are undertaking research to help inform the current consultation into the Joint Core Strategy (JCS).

What stage it the JCS at now?

The JCS is a strategic development plan for Cheltenham Borough Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council and Gloucester City Council. Following its adoption in December 2017, the JCS now has a commitment to undertake a review on the issues of housing supply for Gloucester and Tewkesbury, and the town centre policies for the whole area. Furthermore, in light of the adoption of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in July 2018, the scope of the JCS Review will also need to ensure that it conforms with national policy.

As a result, the JCS has launched its Issues and Options Consultation which seeks feedback on key issues, including those relating to housing supply, spatial strategy, economic development and retail and town centre policies. They are also undertaking an associated ‘Call for Sites’ which gives developers, landowners and the community the opportunity to submit land that is available for development to be considered as part of the review.

Both the consultation and the Call for Sites represent a crucial moment to have your say and to help to ensure that the right development is built in the right places. Early engagement in the process is essential.The JCS closing date for submissions is Friday 11th January 2019.

Responding to the JCS Review: interactive map of new homes built since 2010 across Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury

The map below uses the latest Valuation Office Agency data to show where homes have been built over the last 8 years.

The map is part of our ongoing research into the effectiveness of the current Joint Core Strategy. We used Valuation Office Agency data to map all new housing built between 2010 and 2018. Each parcel of land represents a Lower Layer Super Output Area (LSOA). This is a geographic hierarchy designed to improve the reporting of small area statistics in England and Wales. The minimum population of an LSOA is 1000 and the mean is 1500.

As you can see, Tewkesbury has taken a large number of the homes, whilst Cheltenham has taken comparatively few. This is partly due to the green belt designation wrapping around Cheltenham and the many heritage designations. Nevertheless, it is our view that Cheltenham should be bolder and more innovative in the delivery of much needed homes.

How to get involved in the JCS Review public consultation

If you are a parish/town council or a landowner in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury or Gloucester it is vital that you register your interest in the JCS and start to engage in the consultation process.

The consultation asks 15 key questions. We have listed those that we think will be of most relevance to our clients below:

1. Do you consider any alterations to the existing policies in the adopted JCS are required, particularly in light of the revised NPPF?
2. How do you think the JCS authorities can most sustainably deliver for our future development needs?
3. Are there any justifications for departing from the Government’s standard housing calculation methodology?
4. Do you think that there are any other specific forms of housing the JCS Review should seek to address?
5. There is going to be a need for sites to be identified for employment land. What types of employment land do you think are required in the JCS area to provide for the needs of different business sectors and where would it best be located?
6. How can the JCS best plan for the changing nature of city and town centres to ensure they remain vital and viable in the future?
7. Do you have a site you would like considered for inclusion in the Local Plans?
8. What do you think is an appropriate definition for a ‘strategic site’ in terms of for example size, location and proposed use?

If you are not sure how to make an effective representation, and you are worried that your voice may not be heard, then contact our team today to see how we can help.

An opportunity for development

In regard to the ‘Call for Sites process, if you have a plot of land which you feel may be suitable for commercial or residential development, then you can submit your site for consideration. Again, this represents a real opportunity for landowners to help with housing delivery and economic development.

Plainview Planning specialise inpromoting landinto Local and Development plans. We can assist our developer clients in a number of ways such as undertaking detailedsite assessmentsthrough toLocal Planrepresentationsandlodging aplanning applicationif appropriate.

The closing date for these submissions isFriday 11th January 2019.

Howwe can help

If you are interested in either making a representation of submitting your site for consideration through the ‘Call for Sites’ process and would like the support of a professional planning consultancy to assist you through the process, contact the team at Plainview Planning via enquiries@plainview.co.uk or through our Landmark page. Any information you provide is strictly confidential and we will only use it to see how we can best assist you and to provide you with a no obligation fee quote for your review. We look forward to helping you.

INFORMATION SOURCE: Joint Core Strategy Review Issues and Options Consultation (October 2018)

IMAGE AND MAP SOURCE: Plainview (2018)