Section 2 Context and Issues
1. Para 2.8 speaks of how the Borough population has been expanding at a rate of 10.4%, compared to 7.5% for the South East and 6.6% for England. This illustrates that Basingstoke is expanding at an artificially high rate that needs to slow if the Borough is to cater for its ‘natural’ growth. At the moment, the Borough is building homes for people to buy from other parts of the country, easing the housing pressures in those areas but increasing them in Basingstoke. This should be defined as an Issue to Address.
2. Para 2.12 speaks of the dichotomy of a high delivery rate whilst not demonstrating a five-year housing land supply. This arises from having a local plan that is over-dependent on delivering through a Major Development Area. It was delayed and the plan numbers were effectively negated. The proposed plan makes this same mistake and will run the same risk.
3. Para 2.19 discusses the important role of Basing View and its regeneration for employment. An issue to address, however, is the need to integrate employment and housing more effectively. At the moment, with employment zones, the planning process makes it necessary for people to travel to work rather than being able to walk or cycle to jobs provided near to their homes.
4. Para 2.28 speaks of the need to ensure a higher standard of design in newer developments, and I agree with this. There is also a need to address build quality, with too many homes having major structural issues shortly after being occupied.
5. The Infrastructure and Travel (2.33 forward) section speaks of Basingstoke’s generally good transport infrastructure. However, this will not continue to be the case if the proposed 18,000 homes to the west of Basingstoke materialise without the provision of a new north/south route crossing the railway line. Space was reserved in the current local plan for this, but it has not been progressed.