Development of Meadow Vale

1. The council’s proposals and discussions for the use of this land over the last 10 years.

The site known as ‘Meadow Vale’ is currently designated ‘urban fringe’ land in the 2005 adopted Local Plan for Brighton & Hove. This means it falls outside the built up area boundary as marked on the adopted 2005 Local Plan Proposals Map. The relevant policies in the Local Plan against which against which development proposals would be assessed are Policy NC5 Urban Fringe and NC6 Development in the countryside/downland. There have been no historical discussions with the landowner in relation to development of this site.

2. The council’s departments recent discussions in relation to proposals to develop this plot.

At the Brighton & Hove City Plan Examination in Public held October 2013, the council sought to protect this urban fringe land (and other such sites) from development given its urban fringe and open space status and proximity to the South Downs National Park.

Following closure of the City Plan Examination in Public hearing sessions, the council has received initial conclusions on the soundness of the Plan from the Planning Inspector. These direct the council to look again at all of the urban fringe sites to assess further development opportunities for residential development. The Inspector was not satisfied that the council had sought to plan positively to meet its development needs.

As a consequence, the council is undertaking a further assessment of all urban fringe sites to assess whether more of these sites could contribute to meeting the city’s housing requirements.

A pre-application meeting was held with the representatives of the landowners on 20 January 2014. There was no follow up correspondence as a consequence of that discussion.

3. The council’s relationship with and discussions with the proposed development company Lightwood Strategic Services.

The council’s relationship with Lightwood Strategic Services is as the local planning authority. As such, there was a public discussion at the City Plan Examination in Public held October 2013 where the council sought continued protection of many of the city’s urban fringe site including this site.