The National Planning Framework Policy 15 states that the location of new homes should be consistent with local living including, where relevant, 20-minute neighbourhoods and an infrastructure first approach.
The proposed development site on Essich road is remote. It is not near to any facilities. Anyone living on the new site will not be able to travel to local facilities (High School, Employment, Doctors, Shops etc) within the guidelines of (10 minutes either way on either foot or cycle).
Failure to ensure people can either walk or cycle to the facilities they need will only lead to the use of cars for travel. 400 houses equates to c600 car journeys leaving the proposed development site each day and a further 600 journeys as cars then return later in the day. Further increasing the impact on the environment
The proposed development has earmarked the site for 400 houses of which 35% (c140) are to be affordable properties.
It is far less likely that the households of the 140 affordable houses have access to cars. Situating a housing development which includes affordable housing so far away from any facilities will lead to isolation and loneliness for those living there. This is already evident in areas on the Ness Castle development which is much closer to facilities that the proposed site at Essich Road.