Local Plan Submission Draft Published Version County Durham Plan Contents

Contents Foreword 5 1 Introduction 1 The Localism Act and the National Planning Policy Framework 1 Neighbourhood Plans 2 Developing the Local Plan 3 Cross Boundary Working - The Duty to Cooperate 4 Policy Delivery Areas 4 Supporting Documents and Evidence Base 5 Census 2011 6 Sustainability Appraisal 7 Habitat Regulation Assessment 7 Rural Proofing 8 Equality Impact Assessment 8 Health Impact Assessment 8 Monitoring and Implementation 8 Stages of Plan Preparation and Next Steps 9 How do you Get Involved 10 2 County Durham Context 13 Strategic Context 14 Regeneration Statement 15 Challenges 15 3 The Vision for County Durham 20 Vision 20 Objectives 22 Policy 1 - Sustainable Development 23 Local Plan Submission Draft Published Version County Durham Plan Contents 4 Core Policies 28 Policy 2 - Spatial Approach 28 Policy 3 - Quantity of Development 32 Policy 4 - Distribution of Development 36 Policy 5 - Developer Contributions 45 Policy 6 - Durham City 48 Policy 7 - Aykley Heads 53 Policy 8 - Durham City Strategic Housing Sites 56 Western and Northern Relief Roads 61 Policy 9 - Western Relief Road 64 Policy 10 - Northern Relief Road 66 Durham City Delivery 67 Policy 11 - Other Strategic Sites 70 Executive Housing 73 Policy 12 - Executive Housing Allocation 73 Policy 13 - Other Executive Housing Proposals 74 Policy 14 - Green Belt 76 5 General Development Principles 82 Policy 15 - Development on Unallocated Sites 82 Policy 16 - Sustainable Design in the Built Environment 83 Policy 17 - Exception Sites 87 Policy 18 - Local Amenity 90 Policy 19 - Air Quality, Light and Noise Pollution 91 Policy 20 - Green Infrastructure 94 Policy 21 - Renewable and Low Carbon Energy 99 Policy 22 - Wind Turbine Development 101 County Durham Plan Local Plan Submission Draft Published Version Contents 6 A Prosperous Economy 108 Policy 23 - Employment Land 109 Policy 24 - Specific Use Employment Sites 116 Policy 25 - Retail Allocations and Town Centre Regeneration Areas 118 Policy 26 - Retail Hierarchy and Development in Commercial Centres 120 Visitor Economy 125 Policy 27 - Visitor Attractions 126 Policy 28 - Visitor Accommodation 128 7 Housing 131 Policy 29 - Existing Housing Commitments 131 Policy 30 - Housing Land Allocations 132 Policy 31 - Addressing Housing Need 142 Policy 32 - Houses in Multiple Occupation and Student Accommodation 146 Policy 33 - Sites for Travellers 148 Policy 34 - Type and Mix of Housing 150 8 Natural and Historic Environment 152 Policy 35 - Development in the Countryside 152 Policy 36 - Equestrian Development 154 Natural Environment 155 Policy 37 - North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 155 Policy 38 - Durham Coast and Heritage Coast 158 Policy 39 - Landscape Character 161 Policy 40 - Trees, Woodlands and Hedges 162 Policy 41 - Biodiversity and Geodiversity 164 Policy 42 - Internationally Designated Sites 166 Policy 43 - Protected Species and Nationally and Locally Protected Sites 168 Policy 44 - Historic Environment 171 Policy 45 - Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site 174 Policy 46 - Water Management 176 Policy 47 - Contaminated and Unstable Land 181 Local Plan Submission Draft Published Version County Durham Plan Contents 9 Transport and Infrastructure 184 Policy 48 - Delivering Sustainable Travel 185 Policy 49 - Provision of Transport Infrastructure 189 Policy 50 - Allocating and Safeguarding Transport Routes and Facilities 189 Policy 51 - Utilities, Telecommunications and Other Broadcast Infrastructure 193 10 Minerals and Waste 197 Policy 52 - Sustainable Minerals and Waste Resource Management 202 Policy 53 - Safeguarding Minerals Related Infrastructure and Waste Management Sites 204 Policy 54 - Meeting the Need for Primary Aggregates 206 Future Provision for Non Aggregate Minerals 218 Policy 55 - High Grade Dolomite 218 Policy 56 - Brick Making Raw Materials 219 Policy 57 - Surface Mined Coal and Fireclay 221 Policy 58 - Natural Building and Roofing Stone 225 Policy 59 - Reopening of Natural Building and Roofing Stone Quarries for Heritage Projects 226 Policy 60 - Safeguarding Minerals Resources 228 Plicy 61 - Strategic Site Allocation West of Heights Quarry 230 Policy 62 - Strategic Area of Search to the South of Todhills Brickworks 232 Providing for Waste Management Capacity 233 Policy 63 - Waste Management Provision 239 The Spatial Strategy for Waste 240 Policy 64 - Location of New Waste Facilities 241 Policy 65 - Landfill and Landraising 245 Approach to Allocating Sites in the Minerals and Waste Policies and Allocations document 246 County Durham Plan Local Plan Submission Draft Published Version Foreword Foreword are needed to support delivery. As well as schools, health and social provision the Plan identifies the need for investment in the road We are experiencing one of the worst economic recessions in a generation infrastructure. Whilst in isolation this can be seen as controversial the new which is impacting on all of our communities. It is at times like this where roads will bring real benefits in terms of job creation and relieving we need to come up with innovative and ambitious plans to ensure that, congestion at key locations. It should also be viewed in a wider context despite the current circumstances, we maximise the opportunities and of improving public transport and increasing opportunities for walking and possibilities that exist and create the blueprint for a positive and vibrant cycling. future. Finally the County has a unique environment and has developed a What business and industry clearly require is long term opportunity and reputation for its quality of place. The County's diverse landscape is a certainty and I believe this is what the County Durham Plan provides. Built major asset which we need to continue to improve and enhance, our coast on solid research and evidence the Plan clearly identifies a strategy which has won UK Landscape of the Year, Durham Cathedral, as part of the will improve our economic opportunities by identifying sites which will World Heritage Site, was recently voted the nation's favourite building, attract new investment to the area. we have two wonderful Dales making up part of the North Pennines AONB as well as many acres of forests, meadows and parks. Business have told us that they need to be close to the A1 and A19 corridors as key routes providing excellent links to our neighbouring I am therefore extremely pleased to support the County Durham Plan, conurbations as well as to the rest of the country. We want to maximise which offers significant hope to our young people in finding jobs and the opportunity presented by Hitachi’s investment in Newton Aycliffe, homes, promotes sustainability throughout the County, supports the needs keeping as much of the benefits and the supply chain within the County of our ageing population and will continue to enhance the environment as possible; we need to take advantage of the locational benefits and and improve the quality of life for existing and future residents. potential offered by Durham City, we also want to ensure that the role and function of our other towns such as Bishop Auckland, Consett and Barnard Councillor Neil Foster, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Castle are maximised. The Plan also supports indigenous businesses Economic Development and entrepreneurs through the roll out of broadband and ensuring that a range of suitable employment sites are available across the County. In terms of housing we need to continue to improve the quality and choice for our residents, ensuring that it meets the specific needs of our communities. We seek to do this in the most sustainable way, building on brownfield land where possible whilst supporting economic growth and ensuring we have houses in the right locations to support jobs as well as helping to support services in towns and villages. The supporting Infrastructure Delivery Plan identifies key elements that Local Plan Submission Draft Published Version County Durham Plan Foreword County Durham Plan Local Plan Submission Draft Published Version Introduction 1 1 Introduction that can drive forward the County so that it is in a stronger economic position by 2030. 1.1 Welcome to the County Durham Plan, one of the first new look Local Plans to be developed in England. A Local Plan seeks to guide the future The Localism Act and the National Planning Policy Framework development of a place to improve the lives of its existing and future residents. We therefore need a Plan that meets the differing needs of our 1.4 The Plan has been prepared at a time of significant change. The communities. The County has seen some successful regeneration in the Localism Act has introduced a number of important reforms to the planning past but our overall economy is the weakest in the north-east, itself the system and the National Planning Policy Framework is a much more poorest performing economy in England. To address this the Plan puts streamlined document replacing the previous Planning Policy Guidance County Durham forward as a place of choice, promotes it's quality of life, Notes and Statements. The County Durham Plan embraces the fantastic environment, flexible and skilled workforce and accessible and requirements of these changes. well located towns and business destinations. It also seeks to set the policy framework until 2030 to support the development of a thriving The Localism Act- Local Plans and Neighbourhood Planning economy in County Durham while at the same time protecting those things 1.5 The Localism Act (2011) retains the idea of a two tier Development

Load more