Cornwall Structure Plan Cornwall Structure Plan 2004 Cornwall Structure Plan October 2004 Cornwall Structure Plan 2004
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Cornwall Structure Plan Cornwall Structure Plan 2004 Cornwall Structure Plan October 2004 Cornwall Structure Plan 2004 Foreword I am most pleased to be associated with the preparation of the Cornwall Structure Plan. It is the last Structure Plan to be prepared for Cornwall but in many ways the most important. It provides us with an up to date framework for future development and transport in Cornwall at a time when the Government's new planning system starts to unfold. We believe it to be a plan for its time. It is shorter and more concise than most and clearly focused on strategic development issues that impact across the whole of Cornwall. To achieve its aims we will work closely with a number of bodies particularly the District Councils in translating the Plan into their more detailed local development documents. I am grateful for the help and assistance we have received from a wide range of organisations and individuals during consultation on the plan's content. Of course we cannot always take on board all the different and sometimes conflicting views expressed. However we have considered all the issues carefully and the result is more robust policies which I commend to the people and businesses of Cornwall and all other users of the plan. Mr Robert Hichens, Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport Cornwall County Council. Foreword Cornwall Structure Plan 2004 Contents Foreword Introduction 1 Vision 2 Layout of the Plan 3 Section One County-wide Policies Policy 1 Principles of Sustainable Development 6 Policy 2 Character Areas, Design & Environmental 8 Protection Policy 3 Use of Resources 13 Policy 4 Maritime Resources 16 Policy 5 Minerals 18 Policy 6 Waste Management 20 Policy 7 Renewable Energy Resources 21 Policy 8 Housing 25 Policy 9 Mix & Affordability of Housing 29 Policy 10 Location of Housing Development 31 Policy 11 The Urban & Rural Economy 33 Policy 12 Sites & Premises for Employment 36 Policy 13 Tourism and Recreation 38 Policy 14 Town Centres and Retailing 40 Policy 15 Implementation, Monitoring & Review 42 Section Two Spatial Strategy Policy 16 Overall Distribution of Development 44 Policy 17 Camborne-Pool-Redruth 46 Policy 18 Falmouth-Penryn 48 Policy 19 Newquay 49 Policy 20 St Austell 50 Policy 21 Penzance 51 Policy 22 Bodmin 52 Policy 23 Truro 53 Policy 24 South East Cornwall (Saltash & Torpoint) 55 Policy 25 Other Main Towns & Local Centres 57 Policy 26 Rural Areas 58 Section Three Transport and Accessibility Policy 27 Transport Strategy (and Proposals) 62 Policy 28 Accessibility 65 Key Diagram Contents Cornwall Structure Plan 2004 1 Introduction 1. The role of the planning process is to amended to take on board many of the bring about the most efficient and comments made during consultation effective use of land in the public and most of the recommendations interest. This is achieved through the made in the Report of the Panel which framework of policies set out in held the Examination in Public in 2003. development plans. These policies form the basis for day to day planning Planning Reforms decisions. The reforms to the planning system, 2. The Structure Plan forms a key introduced by the Government in element of that framework. It sets out 2004 involve the abolition of both the long term strategy for development Structure and Local Plans as well as in Cornwall, considering priorities for Regional Planning Guidance. They will the economy, transport and the be replaced by Local Development environment. The more detailed set of Documents and statutory Regional policies in District-wide Local Plans1 or Spatial Strategies. These will form Local Development Documents (LDD’s) Cornwall's new Development Plan. must relate to this. The Structure Plan, The necessary changes in primary in turn, has to be broadly in line with legislation include transitional the Government's national and regional arrangements from the old to the new planning policy. system. It is vital that the Development Plan is kept up-to-date and relevant. 3. The Development Plan2 does not For these reasons the Government has stand alone. The land use strategy must stressed the importance of continuing take account of and be supported by the current round of local and other strategies and programmes if its structure plan reviews. objectives are to be achieved and This Structure Plan responds positively contribute to an improved quality of life to the new agenda. It focuses on key in Cornwall. strategic issues and aims to present 4. The Structure Plan has undergone a and explain its policies and proposals rigorous process of public consultation in a streamlined and succinct manner. and Examination in Public. It has been 1The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduces Local Development Documents to replace District-wide Local Plans. 2The Development Plan for Cornwall consists of the County Structure Plan, District-wide Local Plans and the Waste and Minerals Local Plans (where District Wide Local Plans are to still be adopted the Cornwall Countryside Local Plan is extant). From the commencement of the new Planning Act the Regional Spatial Introduction Strategy (RSS) will also form part of the Development Plan. Cornwall Structure Plan 2 2004 5. The Plan was adopted on 6th 10. Crucially, sustainable development September, 2004 and became provides the core values that must operational on that date. It replaces the underpin other strategies and previous Plan adopted in 1997. It is programmes which relate to the now a key component in the interim objectives of our planning strategy. arrangements for the new local planning Particularly important in this respect are framework: Cornwall's new the emerging Community Strategies4 Development Plan. which are to be prepared by local authorities in order to promote the Sustainable Development economic, social and environmental 6. The County Council adopts the well-being of their areas and to Government's sustainability agenda as contribute towards sustainable the cornerstone of the Structure Plan development. These are overarching and recognises the important role the strategies and their land use planning system has in achieving these implications need to be implemented objectives. Its policies and proposals through the Development Plan. need to contribute towards : Vision • social progress that recognises the needs of everyone. 11. The long term vision for the Plan • the protection of the environment. puts the interests of social, economic and environmental wellbeing at the • the prudent use of natural resources. heart of the land use policies for the • higher and stable levels of economic County. This was established in the growth and employment 1997 Plan and has been amplified in 7. The Plan's policies have been subject the Cornwall Community Strategy. The to a Strategic Appraisal3 that has helped vision for this Plan is therefore: formulate and test its policies against Cornwall as a special place with a economic, social and environmental strong and sustainable community - objectives. its distinctive physical and cultural 8. Sustainability requires us to look at qualities protected and enhanced, the effects of our decisions over the recognised in the United Kingdom long term. It also requires us to think and Europe and providing the basis carefully about how the core strands of for a sustainable quality of life and sustainability, that is the economy, environment for its people, reflected society, the environment and the in a County: efficient use of resources, can complement each other in Cornwall. • with an ecologically sound, aesthetically pleasing and pollution 9. In Cornwall, sustainability must free environment; encompass many diverse issues in a relevant way including issues faced by • where individual communities are our main urban areas, the changing able to feel safe, flourish, retain roles of the smaller settlements and the their distinctiveness and contribute issues faced by the more rural areas. In to the way of life of their people; addition, consideration should be given • where all sectors of the population to global issues of sustainability where are suitably housed; appropriate. 3A Strategic Appraisal has been carried out to assess the Plan's policies and proposals against economic, social and environmental objectives. The results of the appraisal are available as a background paper to the Plan. 4Community Strategies - The Local Government Act 2000 requires local authorities to prepare strategies that Introduction will focus, shape and co-ordinate existing and future activity in their area so that they effectively meet community needs and aspirations. The strategy should be based on a partnership approach between Councils, the public, voluntary, community and private organisations. Cornwall Structure Plan 2004 3 • with a strong and sustainable core county-wide policies relating to the economy, able to employ all key aims of sustainable development in residents seeking jobs, in fulfilling respect of: work, based on development which • the environment and the prudent does not compromise its natural use of resources, including minerals, strengths and resources; waste and energy (Policies 2-7) and • with a commitment to promote • policies for economic and social health, tackle preventable disease needs, including resources and and provide high quality support implementation (Policies 8 - 15). and care to those in need; 15. Section Two sets out the • where all the population has access settlement strategy and it’s key spatial to a wide range of services and elements considering development and community facilities, including the transport issues in relation to: best in education and training, and • the seven main centres (Strategic can share in the attractions and Urban Centres) of Bodmin, qualities of the County; Camborne-Pool-Redruth, Falmouth- • where access is provided for Penryn, Newquay, Penzance, St. people and goods by an Austell and Truro, appropriate, effective, and more • Saltash and Torpoint and the energy efficient and relationship with Plymouth environmentally friendly transport • the other main towns and local system.