The planning inspector concluded in his report (68-page / 684KB PDF) that the plan provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the District over the next 16 years.
He recommended that a number of modifications are made to the plan to make it sound and capable of adoption by the Council, including the addition of a specific policy on the presumption in favour of sustainable development in line with the National Planning Policy Framework.
"I am satisfied that the Council has taken full account of the principles of sustainable development in preparing the Core Strategy and that these principles are embedded within the document. However, a specific policy setting out a clear presumption in favour of sustainable development would ensure that it is fully consistent with national policy," said the inspector.
The inspector also recommended an increase in the plan's overall provision for housing to 380 dwellings per annum to reflect updated commitment and completion figures.
"Subject to amendments to take account of an overall annual average requirement of at least 380 houses and updated information, the housing trajectory is based on realistic and reasonable assumptions in terms of the availability of housing land and the timing and rate of delivery of sites," the inspector said.
The Core Strategy includes proposals for a sustainable urban extension (SUE) at Lubbesthorpe, to comprise around 4,250 houses as well as employment opportunities, retailing, new schools, social and community facilities and green infrastructure. The plan proposes that 30% of the houses in the SUE should be affordable, as opposed to the 25% proposed to apply in the rest of the District.
The inspector recommended that the plan's approach to affordable housing in the SUE should be amended to ensure that it is "fully justified and provides sufficient flexibility".
"There is a lack of specific and robust evidence to justify seeking 30% affordable housing at the SUE compared with 25% elsewhere in the District. There is no evidence which specifically identifies a higher level of need or a different effect on viability," the inspector said.
