The Trust supports this policy in principle but is of the view that the proposed Yeovil Major Urban Extension is in fundamental conflict with it in respect of the following material considerations. (a) Loss of best and most versatile agricultural land contrary to NPPF Para 112 'Local planning authorities should take into account the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land. Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, lo

The Trust considers that the above policy does not comply with the principles of the National Planning Policy Framework(NPPF) in that it does not adopt a sufficiently positive view with regard to the need to foster rural communities. The NPPF states that planning should as a core planning principle be .....recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside and supporting thriving rural communities within it;' (NPPF para 17) Also that (at Para 54) In rural areas, exercising the

ECPT notes and largely agrees with the views contained in Somerset County Council's publication 'Somerset Economic Assessment' March 2011. It is noted therein that one of Somerset's key weaknesses is reliance on a few economic sectors like food and drink, tourism and public services –which are unlikely to generate growth in the next decade. Similarly the key weakness of the lack of any major educational institution in the county means that growth derived from intellectual 'spin off ' is b

Summary The proposed housing requirement of 15,950 dwellings is too high and is not supported by full, objectively assessed evidence contrary to NPPF Para47. Recent objective evidence supports a lower housing requirement of 12,355 dwellings. The methodology for calculating the housing requirement is flawed. The economic projections are unreliable and should be rejected. The proposed housing requirement is in excess of housing demand rendering an imbalance between job growth and housing growt

Summary Policy SS5 is flawed and should be revisited. There is conflicting information in the Local Plan as paragraph 4.83 states that half of the district's growth should be located at Yeovil whereas Policy SS5 directs 46% of housing growth to Yeovil. Policy SS5 should be amended to place greater emphasis on sustainable development in rural settlements in order to create balanced communities, maintain local services and community facilities and meet affordable housing need. The housing requi

The East Coker Preservation Trust objects to this policy. The ECPT's case with regard to the overall level of housing required in South Somerset and the 'split' between Yeovil and other settlements and indeed the need for the Yeovil Major Urban Extension is set out in its objection to Policies SS2, SS4 and SS5 and YV2

The Trust objects strongly to this policy. The Trusts objections to this policy may be summarised as follows:- * There is no objective evidence to support the Yeovil Major Urban Extension. The housing and employment land requirements for the district and Yeovil can be met without the need for a greenfield urban extension * In the absence of unmet housing demand the greenfield urban extension is unsustainable in compromising high quality natural, built and historic environments and the best an

The Trust supports the concept of sustainable travel but does not consider that the concept has been sufficiently explored to demonstrate viability or practicability. The Trust's detailed Transportation evidence set out in its representations on Policy VY2 should be taken into account in considering this representation. In summary it is considered that, having had professional advice on the matter (a) In practice the modification of private travel use achieved is likely to be modest and will n

The East Coker Preservation Trust does not object to these policies per se but considers that by selecting a site south of Yeovil for the development of an Major Urban Extension, Policy TA1 is compromised as improved transport connections will be extremely difficult to implement. Furthermore Policy YV2 undermines Policy TA3 as a south Yeovil Urban Extension will restrict the scope for improving existing public transport services and hamper the success of any quality bus partnership by inhibiting

The Trust objects to the above policy on the basis that a possible option for the location of the Sports Zone and associated major sports hall buildings etc would appear to be within the proposed Major Yeovil Urban Extension area. Any such large sports hall buildings would add further to the intrusion within the landscape already identified as a major issue with the Major Urban Extension. Background to the objection The Site Options re-appraisal for Yeovil Sport Zone Final Report: Dec.2010 ide