County Durham Plan Preferred Options – Consultation

Agenda Item 10(b)

COUNTY DURHAM PLAN PREFERRED OPTIONS – CONSULTATION

Contents

Policy 1 - General Development Principles ...... 2 Policy 2 - Quantity of New Development ...... 3 Policy 4 Aykley Heads ...... 3 Policy 5 Housing Allocations ...... 6 Policy 7 - Development on Unallocated Sites in the Built Up Area ...... 8 Local Green Spaces to be Designated ...... 9 Policy 10 Retail Hierarchy and Town Centre Development ...... 12 Policy 21 Green Belt ...... 14 Policy 22 Non-Strategic Green Belt Amendments...... 15 Policy 23 Delivering Sustainable Transport...... 15 Policy 26 - Provision of Transport Infrastructure ...... 16 Policy 28 - Green Infrastructure ...... 17 Policy 29 - Utilities, Telecommunications and Other Broadcast Infrastructure...... 18 Policy 31 - Sustainable Design in the Built Environment ...... 19 Policy 41 Landscape Character ...... 20 Policy 43 - Biodiversity and Geodiversity ...... 20

Policy 1 - General Development Principles

All development proposals will be required to: a. Contribute positively and ensure a high quality, appropriate and sympathetic response to an area’s character, significance and local setting in terms of scale, massing, design, layout, function and materials, helping to create and reinforce locally distinctive and sustainable communities; b. Minimise the use of non-renewable and unsustainable resources, including energy, water and materials, during both construction and use by encouraging waste reduction and appropriate reuse and recycling of materials including appropriate storage space and segregation facilities for recyclable and non-recyclable waste and prioritising the use of local materials; c. Incorporate design and security measures to provide a safe and inclusive environment which minimises actual or perceived opportunities for crime and anti- social behaviour; d. Provide high standards of amenity and privacy, and minimise the impact of development upon the occupants of existing adjacent and nearby properties; e. Minimise greenhouse gas emissions by seeking to achieve zero carbon buildings and providing renewable and low carbon energy generation, including connections to an existing or approved district energy scheme, where viable opportunities exist. In all new development where connection to the gas network is unviable it must utilise renewable and low carbon technologies as the main heating source; f. Minimise vulnerability and provide resilience to impacts arising from climate change including, but not limited to, flooding; g. Promote mixed use development and encourage the effective use of previously developed (brownfield) land (providing its not of high environmental value), whilst demonstrating the efficient use of land and resources by ensuring development is built at appropriate densities; h. Plan positively and enhance local landscape characteristics, geological conservation interests and soils, and avoid, remedy or mitigate any impact on natural features, open spaces and identified views and maintain or where possible seek net gains in biodiversity; i. Ensure development provides good quality public open space and green infrastructure or improves access to existing provision; j. Take account of existing or planned infrastructure and contribute to additional infrastructure so that development is well served by transport, social and economic infrastructure; k. Reduce the need to travel and minimise car use; and l. Contribute towards healthy neighbourhoods and consider the health impacts of development and the needs of existing and future users including those with disabilities and dementia.

Question 4 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

The Town Council supports and encourages any policy which will provide good design, using renewable and energy efficient materials. Good design with mixed use developments in character and keeping with the area(s) will encourage further investment in those areas.

Any development in the Parish of Great Aycliffe would need to first consider any neighbourhood planning policies as part of their submission.

Policy 2 - Quantity of New Development

In order to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future residents of County Durham and to deliver a thriving economy, the following levels of development are proposed up to 2035: a. 305 hectares of strategic and general employment land for office, industrial and warehousing purposes; and b. 25,992 new homes of mixed type, size and tenure.

Question 5 This is our preferred option for the amount of employment land we need. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

The Town Council are happy with allocation of employment land which recognises the importance and potential of Aycliffe Business Park.

Question 6 This is our preferred option for the number of houses we need. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

It was disappointing to see the housing numbers reduced for Newton Aycliffe. The County Durham Plan places great emphasis on housing being near to employment and transport links to make it more sustainable. The Town Council feel that the housing allocation for Great Aycliffe in particular the Copelaw development has been reduced from 900 dwellings to 650 yet this meets all the criteria Durham specify for preferred housing sites. There is more on this at question 10, Housing Allocations.

Policy 4 Aykley Heads

In order to provide a high quality employment location to contribute to the delivery of the new and better jobs Durham City and County Durham need, land at Aykley Heads, as shown on the policies map, is allocated as a Strategic Employment Site. The development of this site will have regard to the provision and timing of the infrastructure necessary to support it. The development of the site will reflect the following principles of development:

Employment a. Deliver approximately 47,500 sqm of new high quality, flexible office (use class B1a) floorspace on 9 hectares(13) of land to attract national and international employers; b. An area of 1.2 hectares, currently occupied by the County Hall car park(14), will be released from the Green Belt in order to provide office floorspace, providing a key gateway frontage into the site; and

Services c. To ensure the commercial attractiveness of the site, supporting ancillary facilities will be permitted on the site provided that they complement the wider range of facilities in the city centre and satisfy the sequential and impact test as outlined in Policy 10 (Retail Hierarchy and Town Centre Development). Uses which may be appropriate include:

 A1 (convenience retail, sandwich  A2 (financial and professional services) bar)  A3 (restaurant, snack bar, café)  A4 (drinking establishments)  C1 (hotels)  D1 and D2 (health facilities, crèche, gym)

Green Infrastructure d. Incorporate an interconnected network of good-quality, multi functional green infrastructure including an adequate supply of different types of open space. An appropriate and enhanced landscape structure with clearly defined boundaries will also be developed; e. Set the new office development within a strong landscape framework which capitalises on the site's natural landscape features, provides integration with the surrounding landscape, preserves and enhances wildlife potential and embraces environmental standards; f. Provide a new city park by enhancing the land at the east of the site as an integral part of the site's development. This parkland will allow the site to retain its openness and provide an enhanced network of multi-user routes, tree planting and habitat creation together with a new open-air space for public events; and g. Provide enhanced green routes running through the new park to provide attractive and safe routes linking this area to the northern entrance of Durham Railway Station and Wharton Park and residential areas to the north of the site.

Sustainable Design h. Deliver attractive, high quality design incorporating sustainable development principles and adopting sustainable construction methods; i. Have regard to views and the significance of the Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site; j. A water drainage management plan, incorporating SuDS, will be required. It will consider wider opportunities for improvement of local water quality. Any SuDS developed should be designed to incorporate wetland habitats. k. Enhance the entrance to the site from Durham Railway Station and provide good quality pedestrian and cycle links from the station into the site; and l. Create a new high quality gateway entrance fronting onto the A691/B6532.

Transport m. Bus, pedestrian and cycle routes must be incorporated within, and connecting to the city centre and other adjoining facilities. A Transport Assessment and Travel Plan will also be required to ensure that reliance on the private car is reduced and to mitigate the impact of increased traffic; and n. Encourage the use of Park and Ride schemes and other forms of sustainable transport while providing sufficient parking to major investors and prestige businesses.

Question 8 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

There is a real possibility that the expansion of Durham City and the loss of the green belt will result in the historic city centre losing its appeal to visitors. Careful consideration must be given to establish that the expansion of the city and surrounding area will provide substantial gains, not only in housing and employment but also as a way to maintain the heritage of the area rather than a benefit only in current investment terms. Will the long term proposals protect the heritage of the city which is a World Heritage Site visited by thousands each year?

We are concerned with the traffic congestion issues in and around Durham City and do not see any transport schemes to alleviate that.

The proposal to move County Hall to the site of The Sands is a badly thought out decision. It will make it difficult for staff and visitors to access the site. There must be more suitable places where County Hall could be relocated i.e. Meadowfield

Policy 5 Housing Allocations The following sites, as shown on the policies map, are allocated for housing: Table 5 Housing Allocations Gross Greenfield/ Site Est Previously S’ment Ref Site Area Yield Developed (Ha) Land SOUTH DURHAM Copelaw Development of the site will:  Provide a new primary school  Provide community facilities in the form of a local centre incorporating A1, A2, A3 and A5 where viable and in accordance with other Plan policies  Be accessed from a new junction on the A167 and PDL & H30 (7/NA/313) include the redesign of the existing junction at the north 93.4 600 Greenfield end of Newton Aycliffe and Rushyford roundabout  Provide strong pedestrian and cycle links across the A167 Newton  Include structural planting along the entire perimeter of Aycliffe the site  Incorporate bus, pedestrian and cycle routes within, and connecting to, adjoining facilities H31 (7/NA/005) Eldon Whins 2.3 80 Greenfield Land at Woodham College H32 (7/NA/326) Development of the site will: 4.4 100 Greenfield  Include peripheral landscaping H33 (7/NA/186) Cobblers Hall 1.8 50 Greenfield

Planning applications for housing on these allocations, that are in accordance with the site specific requirements in this policy and any infrastructure constraints identified in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan, will be approved if the proposed scheme is in accordance with other relevant policies in the Plan.

Question 10 These are our preferred housing allocations. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

Re: H32 Land at Woodham College. How do we get access/egress from the area? The traffic congestion will be increased if houses are built here.

Re: H33 Cobblers Hall Durham County Council should be advised that this is area was originally designated as ‘unstable land.’ We were advised by previous Durham County Council officers that this area of land should be retained as a nature reserve as it has been largely untouched since Roman times. A suggestion was made that the area should be fenced off and rare breed cattle be introduced there. The area is also very special regarding the planting & shrubs in the locality. Historically, the Northern Area Study Plan and Sedgefield District plan have identified it as ‘unstable land’ too We should ask if this area has recently been investigated, as there has been trouble with block paving sinking in the Cobblers Hall shopping precinct.

Page 60 of the Planning Inspectors report of the previously submitted County Durham Plan supported more housing in Aycliffe. As this is considered an area of good employment prospects with good transport we would like to retain a higher number of houses in this area as long as they are in suitable locations and not to the detriment or loss of green open space.

It is disappointing to see lower housing numbers in Newton Aycliffe as the Town is most suitable for sustainable development in particular.

The Copelaw Site, Newton Aycliffe housing numbers have been reduced from 950 houses (previous CDP) to 600 houses yet the land allocation has nearly doubled. Does this mean there will be more executive houses for the site?

The Town Council would request that the housing allocation for the Copelaw Site is reinstated to 950 houses.

The Great Aycliffe Neighbourhood Plan has an Area of Separation to the north of Aycliffe Village to ensure the village is not swallowed up by modern development. The Town Council would like Durham County Council and any potential developer to ensure there is sufficient green space set aside to preserve the character and heritage of the Beveridge Vision is continued and embedded for any new development. In addition a large wildlife corridor/buffer strip must be set aside to the south of any development to further enhance the area of separation for Aycliffe Village.

The Town Council would like to be included in any early (pre-planning advice) stages to ensure a good design is submitted when the site comes forward for development to ensure the policies within the Great Aycliffe Neighbourhood Plan are being met and suitable proposals are put forward for planning permission.

Question 11 Are there any other housing sites that should be allocated? Please give reasons.

COMMENT

The Town Council would like to retain the Woodham Way site (7/NA/091) as an area for future development and request that site be included as a possible future development site for bungalows only

Policy 7 - Development on Unallocated Sites in the Built Up Area

The built up area is:  Land and buildings contained within the existing built form of a settlement;  Previously developed land adjoining the edge of a settlement area where it is physically well contained by existing built development; or  As defined by a boundary contained in a Neighbourhood Plan.

The development of sites within the built up area that are not allocated in the Plan or in a Neighbourhood Plan will be permitted provided the proposal accords with all relevant development plan policies and: a. Is compatible with and is not prejudicial to any existing, allocated or permitted use of adjacent land; b. Does not contribute to coalescence with neighbouring settlements or result in an unacceptable encroachment into the countryside; c. Does not result in the loss of land within an otherwise built up frontage that has recreational, historical, ecological or visual amenity value which cannot be adequately mitigated or compensated for; d. Is appropriate in terms of scale, design, layout and location to the character, function, form and setting of the settlement to which it relates; e. Will not be prejudicial to highway safety or network capacity; f. Has good access by sustainable modes of transport to relevant services and facilities both within the settlement to which it relates and beyond; and g. Does not result in the loss of a settlement's last community building, service or facility unless it has been demonstrated that it is no longer viable or has not been purchased by the community following the procedures set out in the Community Right to Bid.

Question 13 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE A number of Local Green Space designated areas were removed from the Great Aycliffe Neighbourhood Plan as we were informed they had sufficient protection elsewhere. This no longer appears to be the case.

The recent Planning Inquiry for development at land off Woodham Bridge/Cobblers Hall Road (Old Equestrian Site) highlighted the importance of having specific areas designated within a plan as either green wedge or local green space. The main argument at the inquiry was around the green wedge designation of the site and the Planning Inspector made specific reference to the fact that the site was not designated in either the GANP or County Durham Plan. In order not to fall foul of this oversite the Council cannot stress enough the importance of having these areas protected.

Indeed, paragraphs 76 to 78 of the NPPF deal specifically with this matter under the Promoting Healthy Communities section. These areas are of particular importance to the residents. Only areas 0.3ha and above have been included as this is the minimum size DCC have used for housing sites.

Great Aycliffe Town Council must insist the areas set out below are specifically designated as Local Green Space and included in the county Durham Plan to protect them from development on unallocated sites in built up areas in the future.

Local Green Spaces to be Designated

Anne Swyft Road/ Bede part of garden city concept for original S2 0.33 Yes Crescent town, historic, character

Historic Significance. Houses grouped AV2 Atkinson Gardens 0.36 Yes around a green. Garden City.

Environmental and Recreational, nature Aycliffe Nature Park Yes reserve Aycliffe Village, Village AV3 1.11 Yes Historic, Conservation Area, Green Historic Significance. Lord Beveridge N1 Baliol Green 0.54 Yes Vision, Houses grouped around a green. Garden City.

Burnhill Way (South)/ main route, highway verge, WW3 5.24 Yes Williamfield Way (west) recreational, environmental

Burnhill Way (North) /Burn Wildlife Corridor, Recreation and dog BPHC3 Lane, including land rear of 7.58 Yes walking, main route, highway verge, Avon Court character

Is it in demonstrably special to a local reasonably community and holds a particular local close Mapping Green/name of road Size significance, proximity to code Description of area ha beauty, historic significance, the recreational value, tranquillity or community it richness of its wildlife serves Wildlife Corridor, Recreation and dog Burnhill Way/ BPCH2 1.44 yes walking, main route, highway verge, Meadowfield Way character Burnhill Way/Syd Chaplin houses around greens, environment, WW10 0.45 Yes Drive/rear Bakewell Place character, recreational, highway verge Main route into town with 36 flower AC4 Central Avenue (various) 2.95 Yes beds. Key impression of the Town highway verge Historic Significance. Lord Beveridge N6 Clarence Green 0.52 Yes Vision, Houses grouped around a green. Garden City. WV3 Cobblers Hall SUDS area 1.15 Yes Nature area, recreational SUDS scheme Beveridge Vision, character, children, N3 Dykes Walk/Van Mildert 0.41 Yes environment, houses round greens, Road/ Greathead Crescent Historic significance

Emmerson Way junct 0.36 Yes S4 (b) Pease Way (east) Highway Verge, Character, Emmerson Way junct 0.31 Yes S4 (a) Pease Way (west) Highway Verge, Character, Historic Significance. Lord Beveridge AC2 Faulkner Road/Dalton Way 0.64 Yes Vision, Houses grouped around a green. Garden City.

N7 Gilpin Road/rear Clanny 0.75 Yes Beveridge Vision, character, garden city Road/Pudsey Walk Wildlife Corridor, Recreation and dog BPCH1 Greenfield Way (East) 0.41 Yes walking, main route, highway verge, character Wildlife Corridor, Recreation and dog Greenfield Way (South WW1 6.10 Yes walking, main route, highway verge, West) character Gunn Lane to Clarence wooded area including Great Aycliffe N8 Chare (behind sports club 1.60 Yes Way nature walk and Gilpin Road) Historic Significance. Lord Beveridge SSM5 Heild Close 0.43 Yes Vision, Houses grouped around a green. Garden City. Historic Significance. Lord Beveridge Henderson Road/Crawford N4 0.57 Yes Vision, Houses grouped around a green. Road Garden City. Historic Significance. Lord Beveridge Kemble Green North & SSM1 0.97 Yes Vision, Houses grouped around a green. South Garden City.

Is it in demonstrably special to a local reasonably community and holds a particular local close Mapping Green/name of road Size significance, proximity to code Description of area ha beauty, historic significance, the recreational value, tranquillity or community it richness of its wildlife serves Greens, Recreational, environmental, Kestrel Court, land to rear WW6 1.53 Yes character, part of the Great Aycliffe and side Way, The Burn recreational (playground adjacent), WW14 Lord Neville Drive (South) 0.43 Yes environmental, character Historic Significance. Lord Beveridge S3 Lowery Road/Cumby Road 0.35 Yes Vision, Houses grouped around a green. Garden City. houses around greens, recreation, WW8 Malham Crescent (various) 2.07 Yes character

Moore Lane Park Yes Recreational, environmental, character

Next to Agnew Plantation Yes Environmental Corridor North West of Greenfield Wooded Area. Nature reserve, School rear of Byerley Park Yes character, environmental, estate(part of GAW)

Cobblers Hall land near WV4 0.93 Yes Environmental Corridor garage Historic Significance. Lord Beveridge Ritson Road / Bowes Road S2 1.08 Yes Vision, Houses grouped around a green. Green Garden City. Scenic Area adjacent to Woodland. Part of Great Aycliffe Way, also southern SSM11 Ross Walk, land to the rear 1.31 Yes part is banked up sound barrier to A167. Historic Significance. Lord Beveridge Rufus Green inc. SSM3 0.41 Yes Vision, Houses grouped around a green. Richardson Walk Garden City. Sandown Drive, land to WV5 0.51 Yes Environmental Corridor rear

N10 Seven Hills 0.45 Yes Environmental/Woodland

Recreational, Beveridge vision, S1 Shafto Way 0.80 Yes Character, houses grouped around greens Simpasture Rail Line Yes Recreation, Walk (GAW)

St Cuthbert’s Way Yes Highway Verge

Historic Significance. Lord Beveridge SSM4 Trevor Green 0.33 Yes Vision, Houses grouped around a green. Garden City. 11

In addition the Town Council would like to see the land at Woodham Bridge/Cobblers Hall (Old Equestrian Centre Site) be allocated as an area of separation which will bring it in line with the Great Aycliffe Neighbourhood Plan.

Policy 10 Retail Hierarchy and Town Centre Development

Retail Hierarchy The council will protect and enhance the following hierarchy of Sub Regional, Large Town, Small Town, District and Local retail centres in the county.  Sub Regional Centres - Bishop Auckland, Durham City  Large Town Centres – Barnard Castle, Chester-le-Street, Consett, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Peterlee, Seaham, Spennymoor, Stanley  Small Town Centres - Ferryhill, Shildon  District Centres - Arnison Centre Durham City, Sherburn Road Durham City  Local Centres - Annfield Plain, Bearpark, Blackhall, Bowburn, Brandon, Burnopfield, Chilton, Coundon, Coxhoe, Dipton, Easington Colliery, Esh Winning, Fencehouses, Fishburn, Framwellgate Moor, Great Lumley, Horden, Lanchester, Langley Moor, Langley Park, Leadgate, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Murton, Pelton, Sacriston, Sedgefield, Sherburn Village, Shotley Bridge, Shotton, South Moor, Stanhope, Tow Law, Trimdon Grange, Trimdon Village, Ushaw Moor, West Auckland, West Cornforth, Wheatley Hill, Willington, Wingate, Wolsingham

The Plan will look to support new town centre development across all of the county's centres that will improve choice and bring about regeneration and environmental improvements where a proposal will: a. Be consistent in scale with the size and function of the centre; b. Safeguard the retail character and function of existing centres and not detract from their vitality and viability; and c. Be convenient and accessible in order to meet the day to day needs of residents and contribute to social inclusion and sustainable development.

In all other locations outside of those identified in the retail hierarchy the loss of essential shops and services will be resisted.

Town Centre Boundaries Proposals for town centre uses, as defined by National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)(49) not located within a defined centre, as shown on the policies map, will be required to provide a robust sequential assessment.

Proposals for retail, in excess of 1,500 sqm (gross) convenience floorspace or 1,000 sqm (gross) comparison floorspace, not located within a defined centre and that could impact on a Sub Regional, Large Town or District Centre will be required to provide a robust impact assessment in accordance with the guidance within the NPPF and the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

Proposals for retail, as defined by NPPF, in excess of 400 sqm (gross) convenience or comparison floorspace, not located within a defined centre and that could impact on Small Town or Local Centres will be required to provide a robust impact assessment in accordance with the guidance within the NPPF and the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

For leisure development the national default threshold of 2,500 sqm is applicable. Where an application fails the sequential test or would have a significant adverse impact on investment or the vitality and viability of a town centre, it will be refused.

Primary Frontages Within the primary retail frontage, as shown on the policies map, A1 (retail) uses will be supported as the predominant use. A2 (financial and professional services), A3 (restaurants and cafés), A4 (drinking establishments) and (D2 Assembly & Leisure) and A5 (hot foot takeaways) use will only be permitted where they preserve the vitality and viability of the primary frontage. A5 uses will also be considered in the context of this and also the need to consider the requirements of Policy 32 (Hot Food Takeaways A5 uses).

Evening Economy Proposals that would positively contribute to the evening economy will be supported provided they contribute to the vitality and viability of town centres and accord with this and other relevant policies in the Plan.

Question 16 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

COMMENT

Whilst it would be nice to have had a retail allocation for Newton Aycliffe the Retail Needs Assessment undertaken as part of the GANP showed that there was no demand at that time. Since then clothing outlets have taken retail space in Tesco which was one of the key retail needs that residents wanted to see.

Policy 21 Green Belt

The Green Belt, as shown on the policies map, will be provided with the strongest possible protection. The construction of new buildings will be regarded as inappropriate and will not be permitted unless very special circumstances are demonstrated with substantial weight given to any harm to the Green Belt. The exceptions to this are: a. Buildings necessary for the purposes of agriculture or forestry; b. Provision of appropriate facilities (in connection with the existing use of land or a change of use) for outdoor sport, outdoor recreation and for cemeteries and burial grounds and allotments, as long as it preserves the openness of the Green Belt and does not conflict with the purposes of including land within it; c. The extension or alteration of a building providing that is does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building; d. Replacement of a building, providing it is in the same use and not materially larger than the one it replaces; and e. Limited infilling in inset villages, and limited affordable housing for an identified local, community need; or f. Limited infilling or the partial of complete redevelopment of previously developed sites (excluding temporary buildings) providing the proposal has no greater impact on openness or the purpose of including land within it or where the development would reuse previously developed land and contribute towards meeting an identified local affordable need without causing substantial harm.

Other forms of development which may not be inappropriate in the Green Belt, providing they preserve the openness and do not conflict with its purpose include: g. Mineral extraction; h. Engineering operations; i. Local transport Infrastructure which can demonstrate a requirement for a Green Belt location; j. The re-use or conversion of an existing building which is permanent and of substantial construction; k. Material changes in the use of land such as changes of use for outdoor sport or recreation, or for cemeteries and burial grounds; and l. Development brought through a Community Right to Build Order or Neighbourhood Development Order.

Opportunities for increased or enhanced access to the countryside as well as improvements to landscapes, visual amenity and biodiversity will be supported where they will maintain openness and do not harm the purposes of the Green Belt either individually or cumulatively.

Question 29 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

At the time of writing the Great Aycliffe Neighbourhood Plan (GANP) the designations of green wedge/belt land was not considered necessary through the NPPF and the Town Council were asked to remove local green spaces from the

14 plan. Some of these spaces could be classed as green belt or wildlife corridors within the town.

The Town Council consider this designation or that of ‘an area of separation’ is essential for the land at Woodham Bridge/Cobblers Hall Road as this was recently highlighted at a planning inquiry where part of the argument was that the land in question has not been designated as an area of separation.

The Town Council would request that the area of land known as the old Equestrian Site, land off Cobblers Hall/Woodham be officially included as area of green wedge in the County Durham Plan.

The comments from the planning inspector has caused the Town Council to review the green spaces which were removed from the neighbourhood plan with a view to them being included in the County Durham Plan.

The areas we would like include as mini green belt (that could also be considered as wildlife corridors) are the land along:-  Central Avenue  Burnhill Way  Burn Lane  Greenfield Way

Policy 22 Non-Strategic Green Belt Amendments

In order to reaffirm the continued permanence of the Green Belt the following sites are to be removed: a. Former Skid Pan, Durham City; b. Lumley Boys School, Great Lumley; and c. Fernhill, Durham City

Question 30 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

Although the removal of these green belt areas does not currently affect Great Aycliffe there is great concern that this could set a precedent for future developments.

Policy 23 Delivering Sustainable Transport

The transport implications of development must be addressed as part of any planning application, where relevant this could include through Transport Assessments, Transport Statements and Travel Plans. All development(73) shall deliver sustainable transport by: a. Delivering, accommodating and facilitating investment in sustainable modes of transport in the following order of priority: walking, cycling, bus and rail transport, car sharing and alternative fuel vehicles; 15

b. Providing appropriate, well designed, permeable and direct routes for walking, cycling and bus access, so that new developments clearly link to existing services and facilities together with existing routes for the convenience of all users; c. Ensuring that any vehicular traffic generated by new development following the implementation of sustainable transport measures can be safely accommodated on the local and strategic highway network and does not cause unacceptable congestion or that congestion can be overcome by appropriate transport improvements; and d. Ensuring the creation of new or improvements to existing routes and facilities do not cause unacceptable harm to the natural, built or historic environment.

All development should have regard to the policies set out in the County Durham Cycling Delivery Plan and where possible should contribute to the development of the strategic cycling network and deliver new cycling infrastructure. Any new routes should not have an unacceptable adverse impact on environmental or heritage assets.

Proposals for new development should comply with the council's Parking and Accessibility Standards and accommodate current and future demand for low emission vehicles.

Question 31 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

The County Durham Plan makes reference to an inter-modal freight terminal which would be best placed at Newton Aycliffe Forrest Park as it very near to a high area of employment and existing road and rail networks. This makes the Forrest Park location the most suitable for this freight terminal.

Policy 26 - Provision of Transport Infrastructure

New highway schemes and new transport infrastructure will be permitted where they: a. Are necessary to improve the existing highway network and/or rail network; b. Support economic growth; c. Enhance connectivity either within the county or with other parts of the region; d. Accommodate future development sites; e. Minimise and mitigate any harmful impact upon the environment and the amenity of local communities including by incorporating Green Infrastructure; and f. Make safe and proper provision for all users which prioritises the movement of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.

Question 34 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

Great Aycliffe Town Council feel the most suitable place for a rail interchange to provide an inter-modal freight terminal would be the Newton Aycliffe option. As the largest business park in the North East this would be the most sensible option. Placing the inter-modal freight terminal at Forrest Park will further promote Aycliffe

Business Park and make it more appealing to further and future investment. It will assist companies who use ‘in time’ business model or deliveries and will therefore make a better business model.

It will also mean less lorries on the roads in an around Aycliffe Village which is currently a problem. It will also lead to less emissions and a cleaner environment. Policy 28 - Green Infrastructure

Development will be expected to maintain and protect, and where appropriate improve, the county’s green infrastructure network. Development proposals should incorporate appropriate Green Infrastructure (GI) that is integrated into the wider network, which maintains and improves biodiversity, landscape character, increases opportunities for healthy living and contributes to healthy ecosystems and climate change objectives.

Loss of provision Development proposals will not be permitted that would result in the loss of open space or harm to green infrastructure assets unless the benefits of the development clearly outweigh the harm. Where valued open spaces or assets are affected, proposals must incorporate suitable mitigation and make appropriate provision of equivalent or greater value on site or within the locality. Where appropriate there will be engagement with the local community.

New provision Development proposals should provide for new green infrastructure both within and, where appropriate, off site, having regard to priorities identified in the Strategic GI Framework. Proposals should take opportunities to contribute to existing green infrastructure projects in the locality including those identified in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

New green infrastructure will be required to be appropriate to its context and of robust and practical design, with provision for its long term management and maintenance secured. The council expects the delivery of new green space to make a contribution towards achieving the net gains in biodiversity and coherent ecological networks as required by the NPPF.

Proposals for new residential development will be required to meet the standards of open space provision set out in the Open Space Needs Assessment (OSNA). Where it is determined that on-site provision is not appropriate, the council will require financial contributions secured through planning obligations towards the provision of new open space, or the improvement of existing open space elsewhere in the locality.

Public Rights of Way Development will be expected to maintain or improve the permeability of the built environment and access to the countryside for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. Proposals that would result in the loss of, or deterioration in the quality of, existing Public Rights of Way (PROWs) will not be permitted unless equivalent alternative provision of a suitable standard is made. Where diversions are required, new routes should be direct, convenient and attractive, and must not have a detrimental impact on environmental or heritage assets

Question 36 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

Green infrastructure is extremely important for the residents in Aycliffe and the Town council would like to see all opportunities to invest/improve and retain green infrastructure being explored.

The town council would like include the following land recorded as green infrastructure:-  Central Avenue  Burnhill Way  Burn Lane  Greenfield Way

Policy 29 - Utilities, Telecommunications and Other Broadcast Infrastructure

Proposals will be permitted for new or extension to existing energy generation(90), utility transmission facilities, telecommunication masts or other broadcast and broadband equipment which facilitate the electronic transfer of data where: 1. It can be demonstrated that the scheme will not cause significant adverse impacts or that its benefits outweigh any adverse negative effects; 2. It is located at an existing mast or transmission site, where it is technically and operationally feasible and does not result in visual clutter. Where a new site is required applicants must demonstrate to the council's satisfaction that the use of existing sites in the area have been fully explored and are not feasible. Equipment must be sympathetically designed and camouflaged and not result in visual clutter; and 3. Where applicable, it does not cause significant or irreparable interference with other electrical equipment, air traffic services or other instrumentation operated in the national interest.

The council will require developers to ensure that all new build developments or major renovations (both residential and commercial) are served by a high speed and reliable broadband connection. This will need to be directly accessed from the nearest exchange and threaded through resistant tubing to enable easy access to the cable for future repair, replacement and upgrading.

Question 37 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

As the largest employer and business park in County Durham it is essential that businesses have superfast broad band to enable them to run efficiently and effectively competing with global companies.

Policy 31 - Sustainable Design in the Built Environment

All development proposals will be required to: a. Contribute positively to an area’s character, identity, townscape and landscape features, helping to create and reinforce locally distinctive and sustainable communities; b. Create buildings and spaces that are adaptable to changing social, technological, economic and environmental conditions; and c. Achieve the highest possible design standards, schemes(104) will be assessed against the Building for Life Supplementary Planning Document. Where, as a result of the process improvements are required, the scheme will only be supported where these are addressed to the satisfaction of the council.

Places and Spaces Major development proposals and those which impact on the public realm should: d. Create a clearly-defined, easily navigable and accessible layout, demonstrating an appropriate response to the local context to ensure: 1. The public realm, including new roads and other rights of way, are attractively designed and safe taking into account the lifetime needs of residents; and 2. Convenient access for all users whilst prioritising the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, public transport users, people with a range of disabilities, and, emergency and service vehicles. e. Create places, routes, intersections and points of reference which clearly define public and private spaces. Development will incorporate defensible space and maximise natural surveillance opportunities where appropriate.

Buildings and Density Development proposals involving new buildings should: f. For residential schemes be built to at least 30 dwellings per hectare (dph) in and around town centres and locations where there is good access to facilities and frequent public transport services. Lower densities may be acceptable in other locations or where it is necessary to ensure development is compatible with its surroundings or to secure particular house types to meet local needs.

Extensions and Alterations Proposals for alterations and extensions to residential property, and development associated with the incidental enjoyment of a dwelling, should: g. Ensure the development is sympathetic to the existing building(s), character and appearance of the area in terms of design, scale, layout, roof design and materials; and h. Not have a significant adverse impact upon the amenity or privacy of adjoining properties.

Signage, Adverts, Street Furniture and Public Art Proposals should: i. Ensure street furniture, public art, adverts and signage is appropriate and sympathetic to all users and the local setting in terms of scale, design, lighting and materials. j. Ensure adverts and signage are not: 1. Detrimental to visual amenity or highway safety; and 2. Sited in inappropriate locations.

Question 39 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

Whilst there is a great deal of information on many aspects of design there is no mention about actual sizes of rooms. Modern houses today are getting smaller and smaller in some instances leading to rooms so small they are barely practical. The Town Council would like to see the Technical Housing Standards – nationally described space standard being referred to.

Housing developments have become boring over the years and the Town council would welcome innovative and creative designs for developments coming forward.

Policy 41 Landscape Character

Proposals for new development will not be permitted where they would cause unacceptable harm to the character, quality or distinctiveness of the landscape, or to important features or views.

Development proposals should have regard to the County Durham Landscape Character Assessment and County Durham Landscape Strategy and contribute, where possible, to the conservation or enhancement of the local landscape.

Question 48 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

The Town Council would request that particular attention is paid to the Great Aycliffe Neighbourhood Plan for any proposed development within the Parish of Great Aycliffe.

Policy 43 - Biodiversity and Geodiversity

5.422 Proposals for new development will not be permitted if significant harm to biodiversity or geodiversity resulting from the development cannot be avoided, or adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for. 5.423 Proposals for new development will be expected to conserve biodiversity and geodiversity to ensure no net loss, and where possible net gain. 5.424 Proposals for new development should incorporate measures to enhance biodiversity.(150) Measures should be appropriate, consistent with the biodiversity of the site and contribute to the resilience and coherence of local ecological networks. 5.425 Development proposals where the primary objective is to conserve or enhance biodiversity will be permitted, where they accord with other relevant policies in the Plan. 5.426 Development proposals which are likely to have a significant adverse impact on peatlands will not be permitted unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. Such proposals should contribute, where possible, to their restoration.

Question 50 This is our preferred policy. Do you have any comments?

RESPONSE

The Town Council would like to see greater biodiversity and geodiversity within the Parish and would welcome any further sites that are identified being protected. It is important to ensure that these sites are properly managed and there does not appear to be any reference to the management of biodiversity and geodiversity areas.