24 October 2017

Hednesford Town Council is in the latter stages of consultation for the Neighbourhood Plan and is inviting a second round of responses and feedback before the formal submission of the plan and referendum in early 2018. More details can be found at

http://www.hednesford-tc.gov.uk/hednesford-neighbourhood-plan/ 

We would prefer that this is presented as a set of principles around the themes developed which gives developers an understanding of how our community is shaped in the future. Where information is given about specific features on specific buildings which should be retained to maintain character in certain areas could this not be developed to create that identity in planning preferences within a locality.

We have a concern regarding the specifically detailed developments which, if taken up in the relatively short term, renders the plan pointless. The community will have developments in the future which are not known at this time and if the plan is too prescriptive the community will miss the opportunity to influence the shaping of the community in the medium term. I read a very clear older (circa. 2006) document for a village produced by a Parish Council over the weekend called a Village Design Statement which laid out key elements to be retained, the preferences when renovating or improving properties and the historic context in which this was intended, any developer whether resident or commercial then understood what the character and parameters would attract the support of the parish council and which ones would not. Whilst this may be a format and initiative out of date now it appears a good template to follow.

We do not agree with the singling out of certain businesses and types of businesses as unwelcome in our community and whilst we would all support the upgrading and improvement of presentation of business premises and associated land this should not exclude any business which operates in a legal manner.

We have found it difficult to gain a holistic understanding of the plans, for example there are a number of listed green spaces to be retained but no corresponding list of those which are not protected in this manner or indeed how these might be supported for development.

We cannot see any evidence of sustainable living or development being encouraged and little regard for the environmental impact of any developments or community infrastructure. We would specifically like to see something like the following in the plan

• ·        Whilst Councils cannot insist on passive house or zero carbon standards for all new developments Hednesford Town Council:
• ·        Would support development which adopts them and strongly suggests that developers be encouraged to adopt them
• ·        Pledge to build them on any council owned land and covenant that they should be built to Passihaus standards when their land is sold
• ·        Require that all new residential developments meet energy efficiency standards equivalent to code 4 (20% better than current building regs)
• ·        Require that all new commercial developments meet energy efficiency standards 40% better than current building regs
• ·        Insist on developers must include a sustainability check list with their applications covering a range of ecological requirements as well as the SAC mitigation - (eg LED outside lighting, gaps in fences for hedgehogs, native hedges etc)
• ·        Insist on sustainable urban drainage for new developments

We read with interest the aspects of older persons single bedroom dwellings and courtyard developments etc. and accept that this is of limited availability in our community but so are social/affordable housing and also single bedroom dwellings and flats. We are concerned that if the plan accommodates only for older people and larger family homes we will starve our community of a younger local workforce.

The points related to community groups should refer to all partners within Hednesford in Partnership rather than individual groups

Could the Rights of Way chapter encourage (possibly in association with the town centre) look to promote a more connected community infrastructure to encourage walking and cycling with safety and links to public transport as well as the heritage trail, cycle storage and access to the leisure activities on the Chase towards the town economy. This could also include a statement regarding Electric Vehicle charging points etc.

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