One of the many unforeseen (by CLG) consequences of this measure is that it will hinder and demoralize communities preparing Neighbourhood Plans, many of which are founded on a preference for small sites.
Leaving aside the question of the weight of the new guidance, there is a major question mark about whether a Neighbourhood Planning Policy which sought to override national policy would satisfy basic condition a) on having regard to national policy and at the very least, by advancing such a policy, they would be placing the success of the plan at examination at risk.
There may be a further risk that in progressing to examination with a small sites strategy, the Examiner may recommend that the plan be amended to remove affordable housing requirements from small sites, thereby leaving the Parish with a plan with no means of delivering affordable housing and a portfolio of market only sites. This would be a hard sell at referendum stage.
