APPENDIX 1

WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL’S RESPONSE TO WEALDEN DISTRICT COUNCIL’S CONSULTATION ON THE CORE STRATEGY/SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS OF THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

Q2
If you do not agree with any of the suggested housing options, please tell us how you would like to see housing growth distributed

The housing growth should be distributed in 2 ways:

• Affordable housing should be based on need. Where large numbers of affordable homes are required, the supporting infrastructure must be taken into account.
• Commercial housing development should be based on existing and planned infrastructure; adequate infrastructure must in place to meet the demands of new housing. Whilst areas close to railways stations appear attractive for new development, the current problems of car parking at stations needs to be addressed before any new development, along with other infrastructure problems in those settlements.

Please give reasons for your proposed distribution
This will most quickly solve the immediate problem of a shortage of affordable homes, particularly in rural settlements and will ensure that new housing and population growth does not reduce the provision of services for existing residents.

Q4
If you do not agree with any of the suggested employment options, please tell us how you would like to see housing growth distributed

(a) Employment zones should be created within areas of significant housing development.
(b) A limited increase in employment land would be acceptable within existing rural service centres.

Please give reasons for your proposed distribution

(a) To provide employment where people live thereby supporting the sustainability objectives.
(b) This would provide employment in these areas whilst protecting the character of a settlement and the amenity of residents. It would also minimise pressure on the existing inadequate road network.  

Q6
Are there any other matters we should be addressing as part of the Wealden Core Strategy?

The Core Strategy should:

• Look beyond the physical boundary of the district and recognise the significant effect that other areas, for example Tunbridge Wells and London, have on the economy by making certain locations attractive places to live. The importance of commuters must not be overlooked.
• Address policies for the provision of affordable housing including the requirements of the elderly; the current system of providing affording housing as part of commercial development will not be sufficient to meet housing needs in smaller settlements. New policies must be capable of withstanding future changes in the economy.
• Include a thorough assessment of infrastructure in all the larger settlements (including Wadhurst) in order to identify any specific limiting factors on development in each settlement. Improvements to the infrastructure could then be planned as part of any housing development.
• The importance of agriculture should be recognised and development of this sector encouraged to support the economies of rural settlements.

Town and parish councils must be consulted on the remaining documents in the LDF, including a formal consultation on Site Allocations within settlements.