SLP KDBH Extracts - Flipbook - Page 118
Justification
370.
The NPPF sets out that planning policies should ensure that developments create places
with a high standard of amenity for existing and future users. Securing a good standard of
amenity is an integral component of good design. Developments that affect people’s visual
and other amenities, such as those that create noise, odour or air pollution require careful
siting to minimise impacts and appropriate measures to minimise or mitigate any impacts
that location does not resolve. Equally, the siting and design of sensitive uses, such as
residential development needs careful consideration to ensure that problems are not
created. Significant new growth in the Borough is being promoted through this plan and the
policy seeks to ensure that new development is appropriate for its location. Whilst it will be
important to make effective and efficient use of land that makes provision for essential
development, the Council will seek to protect people’s amenity and fully consider the likely
impacts on health, living conditions and the natural environment.
371.
Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) can provide an alternative, affordable means of
accommodation but can also cause issues within local communities in terms of impact on
residential amenity and loss of traditional family housing. Within the Borough there are
approximately 100 HMOs. Whilst a small proportion of total households it’s still an important
consideration. Proposals for new large HMOs (properties containing more than 6 unrelated
individuals) will therefore be considered against this policy having regard to impact on
amenity and character in particular. Such proposals will also have regard to Policy 8 with
regards parking and highway impact and P15 in terms of design. The conversion of existing
properties to small HMOs are currently managed by Permitted Development rights. The
Council will continue to review this position going forward and if necessary will introduce an
Article 4 direction based on justifiable evidence. All proposals for new purpose built HMOs
will be considered against all relevant Plan policies.
372.
The NPPF states that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the
natural and local environment by recognising the wider benefits from natural capital including
trees and woodland. The policy recognises the importance of protecting and increasing
trees and woodlands for amenity and other benefits. These include the enhancement or
restoration of the Arden landscape, increasing green infrastructure (in both the public and
private realm), conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, informal recreation,
opportunities to improve air quality or mitigate impacts and addressing the impacts of
climate change. Important trees, hedgerows and woodlands will include trees in
conservation areas, those covered by tree preservation orders, veteran trees or those with
potential to be veteran trees, features characteristic of the Arden landscape or included in
national or local biodiversity action plans, and trees and hedgerows covered by regulations
or best practice guidance, such as the Hedgerow Regulations and the British Standard for
trees and construction. Policy on conserving the landscape and biodiversity, including the
protection of ancient woodlands in the Borough, is contained in Policy P10.
373.
In the context of wider national and regional air quality objectives, the policy supports the
aims of the Solihull Clean Air Strategy (2019 – 2024), including the actions that will be taken
to improve air quality and reduce population exposure to the pollutants known to be most
harmful to human health. The integration of air quality considerations with land-use planning
decisions is essential to ensure that developers fully understand the air quality impacts
presented by their development. Development should therefore seek to minimise or mitigate
adverse impacts on air quality, as well as enabling improvements to air quality, where
appropriate. In addition to the effect of more substantial developments, consideration will be
given to the potential cumulative impact of smaller developments on air quality, including
their implications for vehicle emissions. As a partner in the Low Emissions Towns and Cities
(LET&C) Programme and a member of the West Midlands Combined Authority, the Council
will support proposals aimed at securing better air quality across the metropolitan area,
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