Draft Core Strategy and Policies Focused Review

Information on housing development phasing needs to be included in Policy CS10, in line with statements in the SPD and the fact that the currently adopted Core Strategy states that development will start in the Southern Section. Ipswich Borough Council has also stated that 'The site will be constructed in planned phases. Each phase will have a master plan to minimise the impact on existing communities'. Section 7.15 of the SPD refers to Policy CS10 in the Core Strategy stating that development will commence in the Fonnereau (southern) section. However this has been removed in the revised version. Section 7.16 in the SPD states that the new CS10 policy defines the point in time when residential development will commence in the Garden Suburb areas. This appears not to be the case. Westerfield Parish Council requests that residential development phasing should be included in the Core Strategy as a matter of policy which will also correct current anomalies between the SPD and new revised Core Strategy.

There is no evidence to support the job growth forecasts given in CS13. Given there has been no growth in the last 5 years, a forecast growth of 17% over the plan period seems optimistic. It has been noted that the job growth forecast in different employment sectors, contained in the adopted Core Strategy, have been removed. More evidence base, in line with NPPF guidelines, is needed to support the figure. Details should also include part time employment, which could have an effect on the total number of dwellings required. Westerfield Parish Council request that growth forecast for the different employment sectors are re-instated into Policy CS13 of the Core Strategy.

Implementation details pertaining to the housing development phasing contained in the SPD should be included in this section to complement the detailed infrastructure phasing information already in this section.