Draft Regulation 18 Sandwell Local Plan
Windfall Development
7.12 A robust small windfall site allowance has been included in the supply, which reflects historic completion rates for sites of less than ten homes. Windfall sites are subject to policy, sustainability, and detailed site considerations.
Policy SHO2 – Windfall developments
1. Proposals for residential development on sites not specifically allocated for residential use (windfall developments) will be permitted where the site is previously developed land and in accordance with other local plan policies.
2. Proposals for residential development on unallocated greenfield land will be resisted. Such sites will only be considered where:
- the site is not protected as community open space;
or
- the site is Council-owned land that is deemed surplus to requirements;
or
- the development of the site will bring an under-used piece of land back into beneficial use and will not harm the environmental, ecological or historic value of the site and the wider area, in accordance with other relevant policies in the SLP.
Justification
7.13 In addition to the sites allocated for residential development within the Plan, it is recognised that other sites will become available for development during the Plan period as it is impossible to identify all potential redevelopment proposals that may arise within an urban area such as Sandwell. These sites are likely to include surplus public land, small non-conforming employment uses and some residential intensification sites where appropriate. However, greenfield proposals will only be considered if they meet the criteria above.