Rural villages in Southeast England represent an important aspect of the region’s cultural heritage, embodying a rich tapestry of history, architecture, traditions, and natural beauty. Protecting and preserving these villages is essential for safeguarding their cultural significance and ensuring that future generations can continue to appreciate and enjoy their unique charm and character.
Urbanising villages without adequately addressing infrastructure needs can exacerbate existing strains on legacy infrastructure and does not represent effective or sustainable approach to addressing housing shortages. Legacy infrastructure in rural areas is not designed to accommodate the increased population density. Upgrading or expanding infrastructure to meet the needs of a larger population can be costly and time-consuming.
Therefore, prioritising new settlements and town extensions over significant extensions to villages is a key strategy for achieving sustainable development. By concentrating development in designated areas, we can promote efficient land use, protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and create thriving, resilient communities for the future. It is because:
New settlements and town extensions allow for more efficient land use by consolidating development in designated areas. This helps to minimise urban sprawl and preserve valuable agricultural land, natural habitats, and green spaces surrounding existing communities.
Developing new settlements and town extensions provides an opportunity to plan and design infrastructure in a coordinated and sustainable manner. This includes transportation networks, utilities, schools, healthcare facilities, and community amenities, ensuring that they are strategically located and efficiently serve residents’ needs.
Concentrating development in new settlements and town extensions helps to protect and conserve environmentally sensitive areas, such as wildlife habitats, water resources, and natural landscapes. By avoiding significant extensions to villages, we can mitigate habitat fragmentation, reduce pollution, and safeguard biodiversity.
Well-designed new settlements and town extensions can promote sustainable lifestyles by incorporating features such as pedestrian-friendly streets, cycling paths, public transit systems, and access to amenities within walking distance. This encourages active transportation, reduces reliance on cars, and promotes healthier, more sustainable communities.
Developing new settlements and town extensions provides an opportunity to foster social cohesion and community integration. By planning for diverse housing options, mixed-income neighbourhoods, and inclusive public spaces, we can create vibrant, inclusive communities where residents feel connected and supported.
New settlements and town extensions can stimulate economic growth and create opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and investment. By attracting businesses, industries, and services to designated growth areas, we can create sustainable economic hubs that support local prosperity and resilience.
Prioritising new settlements and town extensions over significant extensions to villages promotes long-term sustainability by planning for future growth in a strategic and proactive manner. By considering the environmental, social, and economic implications of development decisions, we can create resilient, adaptable communities that thrive for generations to come.
In the context of housing land supply, local authorities should prioritise the allocation of land that optimally supports sustainable development principles. Sacrificing the character and well-being of villages to meet EHDC targets in ways that result in unjustifiable waste is unacceptable.
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