Objective CSO 1.5
This objective relating to compact growth and the renewal of towns and villages appears to be loosely based on the Town Centre First policy but that policy sets out a framework to facilitate and resource each town to chart their own future through a tailored plan, developed by a collaborative Town Team, and supported by their Local Authority. Local communities and local businesses are supposed to be central to reimagining their own towns and planning their own future and the delivery of connected neighbourhoods and a 10-minute town concept within urban settlements requires far more than housing.
Objective CSO 1.5 would benefit from re-wording or, one or more other new objectives should be added specifically addressing the Town Centre First policy. Objectives should commit to the preservation of towns’ built and natural heritage through statements committing to
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Prevention of environmental destruction masked as Town Centre First development,
- Development on brownfield sites is preferred over infill,
- Where infill development occurs, it should not result in extensive felling of woodlands, loss of habitats or open space used for recreational amenity
- Prevention of development that would negatively impact on the historic setting of protected structures, the special character of Architectural Conservation Areas or Historic Landscape Areas
- Enabling each town to chart its own future through a tailored Town Centre First plan, developed in line with the framework outlined in the Town Centre First policy