A review of the city’s Local Plan, which has been underway since December 2022, is closer to being completed and adopted by the Council.
A review of the city’s Local Plan, which has been underway since December 2022, is closer to being completed and adopted by the Council.
A report was backed by councillors today (10 December) to undertake Regulation 19 stage for a six-week publication period.
The Regulation 19 stage is the final plan-making stage before submission of the Local Plan for examination.
The updated plan includes steps to increase the proportion of social housing built on all qualifying sites while any site of more than 10 dwellings would now be expected to provide affordable homes.
Local Plans should be considered for review at least once every five years and the Council hopes to set out key targets to meet the development needs of its communities in a balanced and sustainable way.
The Government has also recently consulted on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and more information is expected by the end of this year.
Headlines in the proposed draft plan include development targets for the 2021-2041 plan period of 29,100 new dwellings and the provision of 60ha of employment land.
The proposed development targets are informed by the 2022 Coventry and Warwickshire HEDNA (Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment).
The Council’s approach is ‘brownfield first’ and protection of the city’s remaining areas of Greenbelt.
The plan is in alignment with National Government’s priority for higher density development within urban areas, alongside locally embedding high quality standards of design and internal living spaces.
Cllr Naeem Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, explained: “I’m pleased that we are finalising this review process because we want to be referring to the very latest data and evidence. We know there is a housing need, but we are determined that quality is maintained and that there are opportunities for more first-time buyers to get on the housing ladder.
“At the same time, we want to ensure that more social housing is available where people can rent at a fair price.”
Coventry has a tightly drawn administrative boundary and therefore development land is always in short supply.
Through the allocation of brownfield development sites, the Council is able to identify land to meet the overall target of 29,100 dwellings.
The Council recognises the need to support the local economy and enable job creation, and continues to work with its partners in neighbouring councils to consider strategic options for meeting this need in the absence of suitable available sites within the city.
Cllr Akhtar added: “The Local Plan Advisory Panel has made clear the priority for the delivery of social rented housing and a suitable mix of house types to meet the needs of communities within the city so I am pleased that the new plan will mean more affordable homes on smaller developments too.”
The policies proposed also surpass Building Regulations requirements for both residential and non-residential new build requirements.
Policies are included for the setting of new standards for developers to meet for on-site renewable energy generation, restrictions in the use of fossil fuels and improved thermal efficiency.
A six-week publication period is proposed to take place between 15 January and 3 March 2025.